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10 January 2025 / Ruth Omoregie , Lola Ajayi
Issue: 8099 / Categories: Features , Family , Divorce , Child law
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Family law: looking back & forward

202719
Ruth Omoregie & Lola Ajayi round up the key developments in family law in 2024, & consider what may lie in store for the year ahead
  • Changes to family law in 2024 included a renewed focus on non-court dispute resolution, more transparency in family proceedings, and new protections for domestic abuse victims.
  • Key decisions dealt with the matrimonialisation of assets, and applications for financial relief after foreign divorces.
  • Areas of potential reform for 2025 may include financial remedies on divorce and the rights of cohabiting couples.

In the ever-evolving landscape of family law, staying informed about recent legal updates is crucial for practitioners, families, and policymakers alike. Over the past year, significant changes have emerged in areas such as non-court dispute resolution (NCDR), court fees, and transparency in court proceedings. These updates not only reflect the shifts in societal values and priorities, but also underscore the need for legal professionals to adapt their practices. This article explores key developments in family law from

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Thackray Williams—Lucy Zhu

Thackray Williams—Lucy Zhu

Dual-qualified partner joins as head of commercial property department

Morgan Lewis—David A. McManus

Morgan Lewis—David A. McManus

Firm announces appointment of next chair

Burges Salmon—Rebecca Wilsker

Burges Salmon—Rebecca Wilsker

Director joins corporate team from the US

NEWS
What safeguards apply when trust corporations are appointed as deputy by the Court of Protection? 
Disputing parties are expected to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), where this is suitable for their case. At what point, however, does refusing to participate cross the threshold of ‘unreasonable’ and attract adverse costs consequences?
When it comes to free legal advice, demand massively outweighs supply. 'Millions of people are excluded from access to justice as they don’t have anywhere to turn for free advice—or don’t know that they can ask for help,' Bhavini Bhatt, development director at the Access to Justice Foundation, writes in this week's NLJ
When an ex-couple is deciding who gets what in the divorce or civil partnership dissolution, when is it appropriate for a third party to intervene? David Burrows, NLJ columnist and solicitor advocate, considers this thorny issue in this week’s NLJ
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
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