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NLJ this week: Can proposed reforms steer disputing couples away from court?

02 June 2023
Issue: 8027 / Categories: Legal News , Family , Divorce , Child law , Mediation
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In this week’s NLJ, Caroline Bowden, consultant at Anthony Gold, is cautiously optimistic about a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) consultation on the earlier resolution of private family law arrangements for children, finances and housing. The aim is to keep family disputes out of court where possible, an aspiration approved of by family lawyers.

The crucial question, of course, is how? Bowden considers the MoJ’s proposals—compulsory attendance at parenting programmes before going to court, making litigants consider mediation before issue and at every stage thereafter, and more powers for judges to consider costs orders on couples to keep them in check.

Bowden raises questions about resourcing, funding, and the practicalities of making sure the message is heard. She suggests ways to resolve issues and move forward—read her thoughts in full here.

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Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

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Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
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