On the st July 2020, a response was published by HMCourts and Tribunals Service to concerns as to how the court proposes to recover as a result of Covid-19. The court service has had to be fast tracked into dealing with matters in the 21st Centuary and making more use of technology including remote hearings [...]
"Blame game" to end as Divorce Bill receives Royal Assent. It is now official. there will be a No fault divorce system in England. The press release from the MOJ and the Rt. Hon. Robert Buckland QC MP on the 26th June 2020 confirms the position including that: 'The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act will: [...]
Updated version of the Remote Family Access Court has been released on the 26th June 2020 . Mr Justice MacDonald has helpfully highlighted the updates.For further information see: https://tinyurl.com/y8r9z2kc https://tinyurl.com/yccgreno
Press release from MOJ on the 26th June 2020‘£22 million emergency coronavirus funding for more than 540 sexual violence and domestic abuse charitiesVictims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are benefiting from £22 million of emergency funding to help organisations providing support during the pandemic.’For further information see: https://tinyurl.com/y92zkbfl
The Ministry of Justice has today published that there is to be a ' Major overhaul of family courts to protect domestic abuse victims'......'Survivors of domestic abuse and their children will receive greater protections after the government today (25 June 2020) announced an overhaul of how the family courts deal with the horrific crime'.For further [...]
A summary of the Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-2021 is on the parliamentary website as follows:‘To make provision in relation to domestic abuse; to make provision for and in connection with the establishment of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner; to prohibit cross-examination in person in family proceedings in certain circumstances; to make provision about certain violent or [...]
Many thanks to Sir Andrew Macfarlane.As measures are being taken to ease us out of lockdown in England and many lawyers prepare to return back to their office building, Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, has today helpfully published ‘The Road Ahead’ for the Family Court in England and Wales….’‘This document seeks to [...]
Covid- 19 has brought its challenges to everyone including the justice system in England and Wales. On the 15th April 2020, HMCTS announced that the Master of the Rolls and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice have signed amendments to Practice Direction 51R in relation to the Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) pilot scheme. [...]
The social distancing measures in place in view of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has presented challenges for the family justice system, the Family Courts, professionals and the public. There are many ways to access and set up meetings remotely. Further practical, easy to follow quick guidance is needed on the use of remote court hearings. [...]
The HMCTS has provided a helpful 'Summary of family business priorities previously agreed with the President of the Family Division: 14 April 2020' Coronavirus update. For further information see: https://tinyurl.com/wd67o39
