Today's Family Lawyer Podcast: Recent Episodes
Today's Family Lawyer
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is an extension of the popular Today's Family Lawyer online news publication. The publication provides news and industry insight daily with contributions from around the family law sector. The Today's Family Lawyer podcast discusses the topics of the day and introduces listeners to the wide array of individuals and organisations who contribute to the success of the family law industry. With a mix of business and industry insight, innovation, and knowledge sharing, the podcast is a "must-listen" for family law professionals.
Divorce coach, five-time bestselling author, founder of the International Divorce Coach Centre of Excellence, and an advocate for domestic abuse awareness, Sara Davison joins the Today's Family Lawyer podcast for a wide ranging discussion exploring the growing role of divorce coaches within the family justice landscape and explaining how family lawyers and coaches can work together to better support clients
Davison's own story is deeply personal. Following the sudden collapse of her marriage, which involved infidelity, the breakdown of a shared business, and the challenges of becoming a single parent, she struggled to find practical support that addressed the emotional realities of separation. Combining her background in business and life coaching with her own experiences, she developed a range of coaching tools designed to help people recover from heartbreak and navigate divorce more effectively. Those tools eventually formed the basis of her bestselling book Uncoupling and the coaching methodology she uses today.
Davison is keen to point to the distinct roles family lawyers and divorce coaches play, emphasising coaches do not provide legal advice; instead, they focus on the emotional, psychological and practical challenges clients face during separation. By helping individuals manage grief, fear, anger and anxiety, coaches can enable clients to make clearer decisions and engage more constructively in the legal process. This complementary relationship allows lawyers to focus on legal strategy while coaches help clients regulate emotions and overcome obstacles that might otherwise delay or complicate proceedings.
It's a scientific process; many clients become overwhelmed by fear, loneliness, or decision paralysis, particularly when children are involved. Divorce coaches can provide practical techniques to help individuals regain confidence, process difficult emotions and approach decisions with greater clarity. The discussion also highlights how unresolved emotional trauma can affect a client's ability to participate effectively in their case.
The discussion turns to domestic abuse, and the rise of technology-facilitated abuse monitoring, controlling or intimidating former partners, creating new challenges for both victims and legal professionals.
The final word highlights the emotional toll that complex and high-conflict cases can have on family lawyers themselves. She advocates for improved awareness, training and self-care practices to help professionals manage the demands of working with vulnerable clients and difficult situations.
Davison's own courses provide family lawyers with the tools to improve understanding of relationship breakdown, domestic abuse and trauma-informed client care. Find out more here: Breakup, Divorce & Domestic Abuse Awareness Accreditation CPD-Accredited Training for Family Law Professionals
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast turns its attention to a role that is often misunderstood and undervalued in the courts system; that of intermediaries.
Intermediaries play an important role in supporting better, and more informed participation in courts.
Rachel Cohen, director at the Intermediary Cooperative and a communication specialist, joins host David Opie to discuss the work of intermediaries in supporting witnesses, parents and participants whose communication needs make the court environment overwhelming
Cohen brings more than a decade’s experience to the role which in her words is “really narrow and very specific… simply to ensure that everybody understands what a person’s communication needs are and how most effectively they can interact with that vulnerable person.”
The discussion highlights a shift in judicial awareness. Neurodivergence, brain injury, developmental language disorder and situational communication difficulties are now better recognised, but assumptions still creep in. Intermediaries are still left out of ground rules hearings, despite this being the very stage where their input can prevent later disruption. “It’s a brilliant time and opportunity to plan… when we’re not invited, we can be kept out of the loop.”
How can the criminal and family courts best work with intermediaries? Early engagement, says Cohen. Late referrals, sometimes just days before a hearing, leave little time to build rapport, assess fluctuating communication needs or simplify documents into accessible formats. The result can be adjournments, inefficiency and avoidable stress for vulnerable court users.
With further insight into vulnerability, neurodivergence and participation measures the podcast reminds family lawyers that participation is not a luxury, but a legal necessity.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
After a baptism of fire when just 16 days into her new role as CEO of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) Jennifer Coupland was thrust into one of the biggest crises legal services has faced since the Legal Services Act with the Mazur ruling and subsequent appeal.
In a wide ranging discussion on the Today's Family Lawyer Podcast, Coupland discusses how she handled the immediate aftermath of the decision, the appeal, and how she plans to shape the organisation going forward after plans to bring CILEX under SRA regulation were shelved.
She leads CILEX after a successful period running the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, transforming the perception of apprenticeships into a respected and sought-after career route. She sees strong parallels with CILEX’s model of “earning while learning,” which she believes is vital for improving diversity and accessibility in the legal profession.
Although CILEX was ultimately successful in its Mazur appeal, the ordeal was a "really, really tough 10 months for some of our members" says Coupland who adds the case exposed outdated aspects of the Legal Services Act 2007 and advocates for a sector-wide review to modernise legislation.
Through the course of the podcast she also highlights the need to improve consumer understanding of legal services, particularly awareness of specialist providers and the importance of quality, regulation, and affordability. Internally, Coupland has navigated challenges around potential regulatory alignment with bodies like the SRA, ultimately pausing plans but maintaining a commitment to reducing duplication and complexity.
Looking ahead, CILEX’s five-year strategy focuses on growth, education, influencing legal reform, and raising the organisation’s profile, with member engagement seen as crucial to its future direction.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
A quiet revolution is underway in family justice. In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, James Evans, Head of Strategic Growth at Nova and trustee of the newly launched Separated Parenting Programme Directory, explains why a long‑standing gap in support for separated families has finally been closed.
For years, high‑quality parenting programmes have existed across England and Wales, but parents and practitioners struggled to find them. Provision was patchy. Quality varied. And in an unregulated space, it was difficult to know which programmes genuinely helped families reduce conflict and protect children.
A new Separated Parenting Programme Directory (SPPD) changes that.
Evans sets out how a coalition of leading figures, including Helen Adam, Elizabeth Coe, Beverly Sayers and Denise Ingamells, came together to build the first national, quality‑assured directory of separated parenting programmes. Their goal: to give families clear, trusted routes to early intervention, and to give professionals confidence in what they are signposting.
The directory allows parents and practitioners to search by region, delivery style, cost and programme type. Crucially, every listed programme meets agreed standards developed by experts with decades of experience in mediation, child contact and co‑parenting support.
Evans argues that the timing is critical. With court delays worsening and non‑court dispute resolution becoming central to the Family Procedure Rules, early access to effective parenting programmes can prevent cases escalating into litigation. The evidence, he says, is clear: the earlier parents engage with structured support, the more likely they are to resolve issues without going to court.
But the work isn’t finished. The charity now needs funding, wider awareness, and more programme providers to join the directory. As Evans puts it, launching the platform is only “the first domino”.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast turns its attention to one of the profession’s most persistent, and least openly discussed, challenges: the impact of maternity leave on women’s careers in law.
While the legal sector is not alone in perpetuating the motherhood penalty, the measurable career disadvantage experienced by women after having children, the podcast explores the unique pressure the legal sector presents around billable hours, PQE structures and the absence of traditional line management which compound the issue.
Returning mothers must “claw back” work, visibility and confidence say Sara Lyons and Hannah Bradshaw, former employment lawyers and co‑founders of Blue Sky; both of whom have personally experienced the issue and who now coach hundreds of female lawyers going through similar experiences.
Lyons and Bradshaw are clear; this is not a theoretical concept, nor a “woke invention”, but an economic and structural reality that continues to shape women’s progression in the legal sector. 78% of women on their programme report experiencing the motherhood penalty, while 77.8% worry about the impact of maternity leave on their long‑term career prospects. These figures, they argue, should be a wake‑up call for firms that still consider themselves “equal opportunities employers” while operating within systems that are anything but gender‑neutral.
There is a cultural discomfort that surrounds maternity‑related discussions in law firms they say. Silence is damaging; women want clarity, support and honest dialogue about career progression, not well‑meaning but vague reassurances.
“You can have it all... just not all at the same time" is the mantra firms and employees need to adopt.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
The Today's Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes two expert guests on to discuss a new book focused on children’s right to identity within international family law, using Article 8 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as a foundational framework.
Children’s Rights to Identity, Selfhood and International Family Law is edited by Marilyn Freeman, Principal Research Fellow at Westminster Law School, an associate member of the barristers’ chambers 4PB in London, Chair of the International Association of Child Law Researchers, and Director of the International; and Nicki Taylor an academic based at the University of Otago Faculty of Law in New Zealand, Secretary of the International Association of Child Law Researchers and director of the Children's Issues research Centre.
A central theme of the podcast is the profound impact that life events and legal processes can have on a child’s identity development. Drawing on their extensive experience in areas including international child abduction and relocation, the authors highlight how such events can shape how children, and later adults, understand themselves, form relationships, and navigate the world. They emphasise that identity is not static but is continuously influenced by experiences, including trauma and disruption.
Article 8, which recognises a child’s right to preserve aspects of identity such as nationality, name, and family relationships, is a “right hiding in plain sight” or a “sleeping giant,” with significant untapped potential suggests Freeman, advocating for greater use of Article 8 in legal practice, including the possibility of a formal General Comment from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to clarify and expand its application. Education on identity considerations into is also paramount.
By embedding identity considerations into legal thinking and practice, the book and its authors hope to influence how courts, practitioners, and policymakers approach family law cases
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
In this latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast, founders Natasha Grande and Neil Graham explain how newly launched G&G Law came about and what their motivations were behind leaving their secure and successful positions, and striking out on their own.
With decades of experience between them, Graham specialises in prenuptial agreements to complex financial settlements at the end of long marriages. Grande describes her specialism in financial remedies and private children matters, reflecting on a career spanning nearly 30 years, much of it within top-tier Legal 500 firms.
Despite successful and fulfilling careers in traditional firms, both lawyers describe feeling drawn towards a different way of working.
The origins of the business goes back many years with the two having worked together previously and maintained a close professional relationship long after moving to different firms. They describe a shared philosophy centred on delivering clear, pragmatic advice, underpinned by empathy and transparency. This alignment, along with mutual trust built over years of mentoring and collaboration, eventually led to the decision to set up in partnership. Although the idea had been discussed for nearly eight years, the final decision was deliberately slow and considered, reflecting both the risks involved and the fact that neither was unhappy in their former roles.
They chose Excello Law and the consultancy model rather than as a standalone regulated practice because it didn't bring the need for substantial capital investment, long lead-in times, and the immediate burden of regulation, compliance, and infrastructure. The "house of brands" model allows them to retain their own identity as G&G Law while benefiting from an established regulatory framework, back-office support, and compliance systems from day one - essentially enabling them to hit the ground running.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
Charlotte Haskayne, Business Manager at Northgene, joins the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast to lift the lid on the realities of legal DNA testing and its growing role in modern family law.
Where is DNA evidence crucial? What role does it play in the courts? Haskayne discusses her experience with court‑ordered paternity disputes to the rapidly rising number of surrogacy‑related parental order applications; indeed surrogacy cases have “quadrupled” in the past decade, driving demand for clear, scientific confirmation of biological parentage to avoid intrusive adoption processes .
There is a short science lesson as Haskayne demystifies the process, explaining how short tandem repeat (STR) profiling is used to establish biological relationships with accuracy levels of 99.99% or higher, and why strict chain‑of‑custody procedures are essential for legal testing. As she puts it, there must be “absolutely no doubt” that samples come from the correct individuals, distinguishing legal testing from at‑home peace‑of‑mind kits .
And what about ethics... particularly the tension between a child’s right to know their biological heritage and the potential disruption to established family relationships. Ultimately, Haskayne stresses that decisions must be made “solely in the best interests of the child”, with the role of testing providers being to deliver clear, accurate, timely results to support that process .
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
The legal profession lacks formal training on managing vicarious trauma, emotional overwhelm, and the human dynamics underpinning family breakdown, leading to family professionals' own mental health and wellbeing coming under pressure through their work.
With 20 years' experience as a trauma specialist psychotherapist and a trained cognitive behavioural therapist, not to mention a family mediator, Sonya Black brings a huge amount of knowledge and understanding around trauma‑informed divorce‑coaching and supporting both family professionals and individuals emotionally, practically, and strategically throughout the separation process to the Today's Family Lawyer podcast.
Indeed, she is an advocate for trauma‑informed training within firms to help lawyers understand neurobiology, manage clients more effectively, and protect their own wellbeing.
It's a mission she has launched herself into as the founder of a divorce coaching programme providing training, one‑to‑one support, and group coaching, which in her words transforms the divorce experience for clients, minimises conflict, and supports family lawyers in delivering better outcomes.
Divorce, she argues, is a significant life transition and need not be inherently traumatic if the right emotional scaffolding is in place. She emphasises the importance of recognising triggers, addressing intergenerational trauma, and ensuring children’s long‑term wellbeing by making mindful decisions that shape their memories. The discussion is framed around psychological safety, empowerment, understanding personal history, and avoiding further harm.
On her relationship with family professionals, Black explains the coach’s role as holding the client emotionally and practically so that the lawyer can focus on legal work without absorbing the full emotional burden. She highlights how unregulated stress impairs cognitive functioning, decision‑making, memory, and problem‑solving, which can significantly disrupt the legal process.
Listen in to understand more about how family professionals can protect both themselves, and their clients, through being more aware of the impact of trauma.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
The latest episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Senior Ombudsman at the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) Clair Daniel to explore the current landscape of legal complaints handling, the challenges facing firms, and the strategic work underway to improve first‑tier resolution across the legal sector.
The backdrop to the discussion is the increase in the number of cases in which LeO identify poor complaints handling, up from 46% in 2023/24 to 49% in 2024/25; and efforts to stop complaints at source by equipping firms to better deal with issues before they become complaints.
Daniels says demand for LeO’s services has risen sharply, across all areas of law, with several likely drivers: rising customer expectations shaped by instantaneous digital communication, cost‑of‑living pressures increasing the inclination to complain, and sheer volume of transactions. Communication and delay remain the two most common causes of complaint—together accounting for around 47% of complaints. Often, complaints arise from mismanaged expectations, such as unclear service‑level agreements or clients misunderstanding the steps and timeframes in transactions.
There is the increasing role AI plays in complaints to consider. LeO is increasingly seeing (as are firms) consumers rely on tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to produce lengthy, formalised, and at times overly legalistic complaints, complete with copied‑and‑pasted case law. While understandable, this can hinder early, informal resolution. She encourages firms to avoid mirroring an escalated tone, instead refocusing on the core issue and maintaining a professional, calm approach.
Keen to dispel misconceptions about LeO Daniels reiterates the ombudsman is strictly impartial and supports firms as much as consumers, including dismissing complaints where service has clearly been reasonable. To help firms get matters right at first tier, LeO provides resources such as the technical advice desk, sector insights, and forthcoming Model Complaints Resolution Procedure, complete with templates and toolkits. A new learning platform with training and webinars is scheduled for 2026.
Listen in to hear more about LeO's attitude to setting and managing client expectations early, strategies to handle AI‑generated complaints effectively, and internal communication and processes that reduce escalation risk and improve client trust.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast features Frank Arndt, founder of Paradigm Family Law and co‑founder of Whatwouldajudgesay. Arndt is well known in the sector. A former German judge. A specialist in international family law. A familiar face on the BBC’s red sofa. And a vocal commentator on LinkedIn. His new venture aims to tackle one of the most pressing problems in family justice: delay, cost and misinformation.
In discussion with podcast host David Opie, Arndt explores his unconventional route into English law, the family law scene, technology and AI and innovation,
With 23 years in the UK legal system he is familiar with its flaws and the conversation quickly turns to the crisis facing the courts. Backlogs. Year‑long waits for final hearings. Spiralling costs. And a rise in contested financial remedy cases across all wealth brackets. Arndt explains how these pressures helped shape Whatwouldajudgesay, a service designed to give separating couples early, realistic guidance on likely judicial outcomes.
The model is simple. Clients provide their information. An experienced barrister or deputy judge produces an early neutral evaluation. The client then uses that opinion to negotiate, mediate or plan their next steps. It is, Arndt says, a way to bring transparency and realism into the process before costs escalate.
He is candid about the profession’s reluctance to embrace such tools. Early clarity can reduce billable hours. But, he argues, it is the right thing for families. It reduces conflict. It reduces misinformation. And it protects children from prolonged disputes.
Of course at a time when there is much talk about AI such tools might in the future be powered by it; but Arndt is clear: AI will not replace lawyers, but AI‑enabled lawyers will outperform those who resist it. Used responsibly, he says, technology can support analysis, memory, pattern‑spotting and strategy—while humans retain the empathy and judgement that family law demands.
Feedback on Whatwouldajudgesay has been strong, including interest from the Cayman Islands and Scotland. Arndt sees real potential for international expansion. His mission is simple: give families the information they need earlier, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help people move on with their lives sooner.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast shines a spotlight on a challenge many firms acknowledge and struggle to tackle; the differentiation of service provision and effectively marketing those points of difference to prospective clients with clarity, confidence and distinction in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Hosted by David Opie, the episode explores why so many family law practices still rely on cautious, inward‑looking messaging; and what they could achieve by adopting a more strategic, and yes sometimes controversial approach. Ryan Fenton, the founder of CaseFlow PPC, brings experience from both the UK and US legal markets, offering a comparison between two very different marketing cultures.
One of the most striking observations is the contrast in tone. While American firms are far more comfortable using direct, emotionally resonant language, UK practices often default to safe statements about longevity and experience. The podcast suggests this caution may be limiting firms’ ability to stand out at the very moment potential clients are searching for reassurance, clarity and action.
The discussion also highlights a persistent misconception around investment. Many UK firms still view digital advertising as a low‑cost add‑on rather than a core business function, despite operating in one of the most expensive sectors for Google Ads. By contrast, US firms routinely commit substantial budgets to structured campaigns, remarketing activity and tailored landing pages which are all tools that can dramatically improve conversion rates when used well.
Beyond tactics, the episode raises a broader point about public perception. While the profession increasingly champions non‑court solutions, the public still tends to view divorce through a combative lens. The podcast argues that bridging this gap requires clearer, more empathetic communication that meets clients where they are emotionally.
Listen in to Ryan's insight and experience from both sides of the pond. Far from being a bolt‑on, marketing should be a strategic discipline that family law firms continually invest in.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
Ahead of Family Mediation Week 2026 the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast brings together three leading voices and contributors to the event to discuss the ambitions of the awareness campaign.
Hosted David Opie welcomes Romina Kamran, a fully accredited family mediator and founder of Arc Mediation and Digital MIAM, Paul Linsell, partner and head of the family law team at Boyes Turner and Sarah Manning, partner at Hall Brown Family Law and long‑standing chair of the Family Mediation Week committee to discuss the plans for National Mediation Week 2026 which runs from 26th-30th January 2026.
The trio explain the central aim of the week, which is run by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), is to ensure separating families are aware, at the earliest possible stage, that mediation is a viable, regulated and effective option for resolving disputes about children and finances, without defaulting immediately to court. The week is an opportunity to raise public awareness and build confidence in the mediation process.
Central to this is the FMC’s role in maintaining professional standards, overseeing the accreditation of mediators, setting a compulsory code of practice, and stipulating continuing professional development, supervision and appropriate safeguards such as professional indemnity insurance and complaints processes. For consumers and professionals alike, the FMC register provides reassurance that mediators have met stringent professional criteria.
Mediation, said Manning, is often misunderstood or overlooked, with many families assuming that instructing solicitors and proceeding towards litigation is the only available route. The week aims to highlight that mediation is not about conflict, nor is it about conciliation, a widely misunderstood misnomer. Rather mediation is abut about cooperation, communication and empowering families to make their own decisions safely and constructively.
This year's event sees an expanded programme offer events and training opportunities to both the public, and wider professionals. As Manning notes, many families first disclose relationship or parenting difficulties to teachers, GPs, counsellors or health visitors, well before approaching lawyers or mediators. By equipping those professionals with a basic understanding of mediation, the campaign seeks to improve early signposting and ensure families are aware of their options before positions harden and conflict escalates.
For those wanting to get involved, the Family Mediation Council has published a full programme of free webinars and in‑person events across England and Wales.
Webinar timetable:
https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation-week-2026-timetable/
In‑person events:
https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation-week-2026-local-events/
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
Christmas can be a tough time of year to stay sober; especially for those who struggle with addiction issues.
In this latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast two experts provide their views on how specialist services can support family law professionals, and by extension their clients, in their efforts to stay sober over the festive period.
Joining podcast host David Opie are Donna Muldoon, Reporting Manager and forensic toxicologist, and Sophie Lawrence, Client Manager from LexTox, a UK‑based accredited testing company.
The discussion explores the heightened risks faced by individuals struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, especially at this time of year which can often trigger relapses. Robust testing solutions deliver real‑time monitoring and act as a deterrent, helping clients maintain abstinence when temptation is at its peak.
Solutions including hair strand analysis, breath tests, and an innovative drug patch help keep clients on the straight and narrow.
Sophie brings a client‑focused perspective, sharing real case scenarios where testing has helped families demonstrate abstinence and avoid lengthy court proceedings. Her examples highlight how these services can provide reassurance to social workers, solicitors, and the courts, while ultimately supporting families to stay together.
The discussion also touches on the importance of chain of custody, ensuring results are reliable and admissible in court. Donna explains how patches are fitted, monitored, and removed under strict procedures, with photographs and paperwork providing a clear audit trail. The benefits also include immediacy of results, which traditional hair testing does not.
The podcast also explores how raising awareness of these tools is vital to ensure professionals can access the most effective testing options; despite the widespread use of drug patches in the US for decades, they are relatively new to UK and there is much work to be to educate the courts on their value.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors LEAP.
Recruitment and retention; almost always one of the top three items on the agenda at every partners meeting. Collaboration between education and industry could help professionals bridge the gap and identify new recruits at an earlier stage in their development.
So say Jonathan Whettingsteel Partner and Head of Family Law at Dutton Gregory, and Brad Kershaw, Course Leader for Law at Solent University.
An alumnus of Solent University, Jonathan maintained strong ties with the institution and when Brad joined the university as course leader the idea for a law clinic - a space where students could engage with real clients under professional supervision - was borne.
The clinic offers real world experience of the law and those who need the help of legal professionals. While popular media like Suits or LA Law may spark interest in legal careers, they rarely reflect reality. Law clinics provide students with exposure to genuine cases and client interactions, fostering professional skills beyond the classroom. Brad shared inspiring stories of students helping vulnerable individuals avoid homelessness, highlighting the profound societal impact of such initiatives.
Sadly the clinic offers a glimpse into the funding issues facing legal services. In just six months of the twice weekly clinic, nearly 200 clients were assisted.
There are other benefits.
- Students gain authentic, hands-on experience, improving employability and confidence.
- Industry benefits from community engagement, brand visibility, and access to future talent. For Dutton Gregory, the clinic serves as a pipeline for recruiting “the best and brightest.”
- Community members receive free legal advice, addressing gaps left by cuts to legal aid.
There are of course safeguards in place and the discussion briefly touches on the law student of the future, technologically literate and embracing innovation including AI.
Both guests acknowledged that law clinics partly compensate for reduced legal aid, offering a lifeline to those unable to afford representation. These partnerships are also a way to push back against government cuts; while Brad urged more industry/university synergy across disciplines to enhance education and community impact.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on co-parenting through the eyes of family law professionals; with Sophie Lougher, Director and Senior Solicitor, and Kathryn Fanstone a Solicitor at Zeus Family Law sharing their insight and experiences.
The Cardiff-based boutique firm was founded during the pandemic, driven by Sophie's own experience juggling a young family and professional commitments. Her passion for client care and practical legal advice sets the tone for the firm’s ethos. Kathryn trained and qualified at Zeus working on divorce, finance and children matters, and cohabitation disputes
The conversation centres on how co-parenting arrangements have shifted since the pandemic. Kathryn explains the rise of “nesting” – where children remain in the family home while parents rotate in and out – as a short-term solution aimed at minimising disruption for children. While beneficial in theory, she highlights the emotional and logistical strain it places on separating parents.
Many parents continue to have informal arrangements, which can at times lead to disputes around vaccinations, schooling, and the broader impact of equal parental responsibility. It's a 'grey area' says Sophie, with subsequent challenges to formalising temporary solutions
The episode closes with reflections on the importance of early legal advice, realistic expectations, and the shift towards less confrontational language in family law. Sophie and Kathryn emphasise the need for tailored guidance that balances the best interests of the child with the wellbeing of both parents.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
The Today's Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes co-founder and Head of Innovation at Family Law Partners Alan Larkin on to discuss his vision for family law.
Through his career Larkin has championed access to justice, and the evolution of client experience; and the use of technology to support these objectives - work which has recently been recognised with the award of an honorary doctorate by the University of Brighton for his sustained impact on the legal profession
A late bloomer in law, Larkin joined the profession aged 35 having come from the voluntary sector. Frustrated by the lack of technology in family law he set about using it to redesign legal processes to better serve individuals navigating family breakdowns; leading to the design of the first versions of onboarding platform. Nova Engage.
He describes how the traditional first consultation—often dominated by lengthy questioning—can be overwhelming for clients in distress; an issue technology can play its part of solving, although he is at pains to point out technology doesn’t replace lawyers but enhances their ability to connect with clients. Instead technology provides a “soft landing,” reducing stress and improving cognitive engagement during consultations.
The law should still be conducted by lawyers says Larkin, but software can offer contextual guidance and reassurance, enabling the lawyer to focus on the legal work.
Much work remains on access to justice, particularly when it comes to the public's understanding of the law. Larkin notes that most people are unaware of alternatives to court, despite the existence of multiple dispute resolution models. He advocates for using technology to scale public awareness and promote collaborative, non-adversarial approaches.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
The latest episode of Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes on Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors and Vice Chair of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group to discuss the impact of the Legal Aid Agency cyber attack on her firm, and the wider legal aid community.
The Legal Aid Agency revealed as many as 2 million records dating back 2007 had been hacked back in May of this year; with the details of those affected particularly sensitive in cases of domestic abuse and vulnerable clients.
For firms, the closure of the LAA portal left them unable to submit bills or process amendments digitally, forcing a return to paper-based applications. This sudden shift created confusion, especially among younger staff accustomed to digital workflows. Emergency measures allowed firms to handle urgent cases, but routine work stalled, leaving many clients unrepresented.
The impact on clients was profound as Watkins notes that some victims of domestic abuse and families in care proceedings were forced to attend court without legal support.
Legal aid firms, already operating on razor-thin margins, couldn't bill for months, in some cases threatening their very survival. In the course of the discussion, Watkins candidly shares her fear of missing payroll and the need to seek support from her bank. While contingency payments—based on historical averages—provided temporary relief, they introduced accounting complexities and deferred VAT liabilities. The looming administrative burden when the portal reopens is another major concern, as firms anticipate a flood of backlogged claims and potential delays in reimbursement.
Not only that, the cyber attack compounded the stress within sector who have seen legal aid rates effectively regress. Watkins warns that some firms have stopped taking emergency cases, fearing non-payment, which could exacerbate risks for vulnerable individuals. Staff resilience has been commendable, but uncertainty persists, fuelling doubts about the sustainability of legal aid work.
Needless to say Watkins' view is to better fund legal aid, more sustainably. But more broadly the LAA cyber attack is more than a technical failure—it is a catalyst for critical reflection on the viability of legal aid. As Watkins emphasizes, society must decide whether it values equal access to justice, because without urgent reform and investment, the future of legal aid—and the clients who depend on it—remains uncertain.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Peter Burgess, Founding Partner at Burgess Mee Family Law, and Hannah Budd, Partner at the Rosefield Divorce Consultancy, to explore a new collaboration designed to reshape how family law professionals support clients in crisis.
The conversation centres on “Within the Window,” a trauma-informed framework developed to help clients navigate separation and divorce with greater emotional safety and clarity. Drawing on clinical insights and frontline experience, Peter and Hannah explain how trauma responses—such as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn—can profoundly affect decision-making, communication, and courtroom behaviour. Rather than treating these reactions as obstacles, their approach integrates them into strategy, preparation, and client care.
By delivering in-house training and empowering the firm's lawyers, Burgess Mee have embedded trauma-awareness into their practice, providing tools for the team to help clients like breathing exercises and grounding techniques tailored for key moments in proceedings. The collaboration also bridges the gap between legal and therapeutic support, ensuring clients receive consistent, coordinated guidance—especially when preparing for high-stakes events like hearings or fact-finding sessions.
Importantly, the episode doesn’t shy away from the realities of high-conflict cases. While non-court dispute resolution is ideal, Peter and Hannah emphasise that some clients—due to personality disorders, abuse histories, or complex dynamics—require a more robust, trauma-informed legal pathway.
This episode offers a fresh lens on how empathy, strategy, and collaboration can coexist—delivering better outcomes for clients and a more humane experience for all involved.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
The Today's Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes Annmarie Carvalho, director of The Carvalho Consultancy (TCC), to discuss her work at the intersection of law and therapy and the launch of her new book, 'Saying Sane in Family Law', available now through Bath Publishing.
A former family solicitor and mediator with over a decade of experience in a central London firm, Annmarie retrained as a therapist after recognising the psychological complexities inherent in family law. Her motto, 'Because we’ve walked in your shoes,' reflects the lived experience of her TCC team, many of whom are former lawyers themselves. The discussion explores strategies for family lawyers navigating emotionally charged cases, working with vulnerable clients, mental health disorders, suicidality, and resistance. These offerings are grounded in therapeutic principles but tailored for the legal context, equipping lawyers with practical tools to manage the emotional weight of their work.
Annmarie advocates for integrating relational and psychological training into legal education from the outset, arguing that lawyers should be seen more like GPs than surgeons—providing holistic support rather than just technical expertise. She also emphasises the importance of reflective practice and therapeutic supervision to prevent burnout and improve client outcomes.
Her book is the culmination of much of this work, discussing how family lawyers are increasingly expected to manage emotional aspects of cases, despite traditional training focusing solely on legal processes. Her training helps lawyers understand how to communicate effectively with distressed clients, avoid causing harm, and maintain professional boundaries—especially with “boundary bashers” who challenge time and emotional limits. The book is divided into two parts: the first addresses working with complex client issues (e.g., addiction, neurodiversity, trauma), while the second focuses on self-care and resilience strategies for professionals.
A series of upcoming workshops are now available to book on, with early bird prices until the end of September 2025. Delegates who sign up will receive a free copy of the book.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie discusses the increasing number of disputes between separating partners when it comes to pets, and a new working group looking at amending legislation to bring it more in line with the challenges family professionals face on this emotive topic.
Barrister Sarah Lucy Cooper, Diane Matthews, a senior associate at MSB Solicitors in Liverpool, and Karis Nafte, a certified dog behaviour consultant and accredited family mediator all join this discussion on the growing recognition of pets as family members in separation and divorce proceedings.
As pet ownership continues to rise, so too does the emotional complexity of deciding who keeps the dog, cat, or other companion animal when relationships break down. There is both an emotional and legal element to the conversation, highlighting how courts in England and Wales currently treat pets as property—often overlooking the welfare of the animal or the emotional bonds involved.
There is precedent abroad where other jurisdictions have enacted legislation which recognises the emotional and well-being role our pets play and a new working group, launched this year, it looking at how UK legislation could amended.
The discussion explores how this tricky topic can be navigated under current legislation, exploring how collaborative approaches—combining legal expertise with behavioural insight—can lead to more humane, balanced outcomes. From shared care agreements to pet parenting plans, the episode showcases practical tools that help families navigate separation without turning pets into pawns.
How can we evolve traditional legal frameworks to tackle a topic that’s often overlooked but deeply felt.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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This episode of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast features host David Opie in conversation with Grant Cameron - family lawyer, mediator, collaborative practitioner, and a partner at Trethowans. Grant recently concluded his tenure as Chair of Resolution, having led the organization during a transformative post-COVID period marked by significant legislative and cultural shifts.
He reflects on the implementation of no fault divorce and how Resolution maintained momentum through its Vision for Family Justice manifesto. The conversation explores future reform priorities, particularly cohabitation rights, early access to legal advice, and improvements to legal aid.
Grant discusses the renewed emphasis on Resolution’s Code of Practice in 2025, encouraging professionals to revisit the values of respectful communication and dignified practice. He advocates for refresher training and emphasizes kindness as central to client care.
The episode also highlights a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to family law, incorporating financial and emotional expertise alongside legal guidance. In closing, Grant shares his three wishes for the sector’s future: equitable access to justice, sustainable support for legal aid practitioners, and long-awaited reform for cohabiting couples. These, he believes, are vital to building a more compassionate and effective family law framework.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
In this episode of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie welcomes Sally Robinson, partner and head of the HCR Law Family Team in Central England. Broadcasting from the Northampton office, Sally brings over two decades of legal experience to a timely discussion on how language in family law is evolving.
Sally reflects on the landmark shift introduced by no-fault divorce, calling it the most significant change in her career. She highlights how the move away from adversarial language fosters amicable resolutions and reduces emotional strain, particularly in cases involving children.
The conversation dives into practical adjustments—like switching from "my client/your client" to using first names—to humanize the legal process. Sally candidly shares how even small changes in tone can reshape outcomes and reduce conflict.
David and Sally explore the role of lawyers in promoting a less combative narrative. As trainers and role models to the next generation, today's professionals are crucial in redefining perceptions, both within legal circles and in the public eye.
Referencing initiatives like Resolution and the Language Matters paper, Sally urges the profession to use its influence thoughtfully—because every word counts in safeguarding families through separation.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie is joined by Jude Eyre, Associate Director at the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO).
Together, they explore the newly released Toolkit for Judges on Writing to Children, a guidance document designed to support judges in communicating directly with children in family law proceedings.
Jude offers insight into the collaborative process behind the toolkit, developed with input from the Family Justice Young People’s Board, judges, social workers, researchers, and families with lived experience.
The discussion centres on improving accessibility and compassion in court communications—highlighting how a well-crafted letter can empower children to understand decisions affecting their lives.
Jude also addresses concerns about judicial workloads and explains how early collaboration with legal professionals can ease implementation of this approach.
With its practical examples and supportive tone, the toolkit reflects a growing shift toward a more transparent, child-focused justice system.
Essential listening for professionals across the family law landscape, this episode reinforces the power of clear, empathetic communication at every stage of the process.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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In this powerful episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie welcomes Shoba Aziz, an experienced barrister at Great James St Chambers, for an important conversation exploring the psychological dimensions of domestic abuse—specifically narcissistic behaviour and gaslighting.
Drawing on over 20 years in legal practice, Shoba shares her deep expertise in private child and family law, especially in cases involving coercive control and emotional manipulation. She explains how narcissistic traits and gaslighting manifest within relationships, often leaving victims confused, isolated, and doubting their own reality.
Shoba offers real-world insights from her courtroom experience, highlighting the emotional toll this abuse has on victims and the need for practitioners to spot often-subtle signs. She emphasises the importance of creating a safe space for clients, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences are validated.
The episode also explores the evolving legal landscape, with Shoba referencing landmark cases and the application of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. She underscores the critical need for joined-up support services, wider education among professionals, and greater societal awareness.
This episode is a compelling call to action, encouraging legal professionals and the wider community to better understand, identify, and support those affected by psychological abuse in the family court system.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie is joined by Mike Mack, CEO of the Family Mediation Trust, and Lorraine Bramwell, a seasoned family mediator and trainer, to discuss the creation of a new Domestic Abuse Screening Tool.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Family Mediation Trust and the Family Mediation Council (FMC), aimed at improving the consistency and effectiveness of domestic abuse screening in mediation settings.
The conversation begins with an overview of the Family Mediation Trust’s longstanding role in supporting families through separation and its broader mission to enhance the mediation sector. Mike explains the Trust recognised a gap in consistent domestic abuse screening, a sentiment shared by Lorraine who added while mediators are trained to recognize and respond to abuse, current approaches vary widely.
The new tool aims to consolidate best practices into a unified framework, ensuring all FMC-registered mediators have access to a consistent, practical resource.
Alongside a range of sensitive, non-intrusive questions, the toolkit will also provide guidance on interpreting responses and help direct clients to appropriate support services when mediation is not suitable. There is also the evolving nature of domestic abuse, including the rise of technological abuse (e.g., misuse of smart home devices), which requires the adaptation of mediation practices accordingly. He adds around 40% of the Trust’s cases involve some form of domestic abuse, underscoring the urgency of this initiative.
And with the changes to Family Procedure Rules increasing the volume and complexity of cases referred to mediation, now is absolutely the right time to focus efforts on this initiative; with consultation ongoing and a planned launch at the FMC’s conference in September 2025.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
In this latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie welcomes Laura Tanguay and Lucy Birch from Birketts LLP to discuss the launch of their Modern Families service.
Lucy Birch is a senior associate in the family team, and Laura Tanguay is a legal director in the property disputes team; with the podcast exploring how this unique combination of expertise is central to the Modern Families service.
Laura Tanguay explains the rationale behind the Modern Families service, emphasising the decision to house Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (TOLATA) disputes within the property disputes team rather than the family team. This approach is driven by the fact that these cases are heard in civil courts under civil procedure rules, making it more logical for property disputes specialists to handle them. Laura's expertise in property disputes is crucial for handling increasingly common cohabitation issues.
The discussion moves on to explore the lack of understanding among the public regarding their rights and the complexities of TOLATA claims, with both Laura and Lucy echoing the sentiment of many practitioners on the need for reform.
In a topical discussion, the podcast explores how to protect clients, particularly those purchasing property as first-time buyers with partners and working with other members of the firm, like conveyancers, to ensure clients understand their rights.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
Today's Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie welcomes Kate Daly, co-founder of amicable to discuss the evolution of the business since it launched in 2015; to a point where it now is one of the largest providers of family law services in the UK by virtue of the number of consent orders it submits annually.
Founded by Kate, a counsellor with a background in psychology, and Pip Wilson, and driven by a desire to find a better way to separate following Kate's own separation, the goal initially was to create an app to help couples prepare for divorce by organising their finances and child arrangements before seeking legal help. However it soon became apparent people wanted more.
Kate speaks candidly about the impact of the High Court case which ultimately validated amicable's service offering and centred on the delivery of legal services as an unregulated entity.
Kate also discusses the role technology plays in the business and how it underpins the human element of the business; tackles hourly billing and increasingly accounting for changing consumer attitudes including payment credit options; and the delivery of high quality legal services, regardless of regulation.
In 2023 Octopus Group acquired a majority stake in amicable enabling it to further expand its service offering and provide financial and legal support, and a holistic approach to divorce and separation.
"We are trying to change the narrative around divorce and separation" concludes Kate, acknowledging there is no one size fits all and amicable is not always the best route for couples. "We are just one of the many ways, but the more the public has an understanding of the different ways (including mediation and arbitration) the better."
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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The Co-Parent Way is a co-parenting methodology developed by Marcie Shaoul; with a history working in the diplomatic service in 2016 Marcie launched her consultancy aimed at helping co-parents better communicate with one another and place their children at the centre of the relationship.
She describes how she saw the same patterns emerging in separating couples after her work with government and civil society. Of her work Marcie says "you can have the same north star, the same place you're heading to; but you're doing it in very different ways" referencing the importance of language, culture, and listening.
Her book, The Co-Parenting Method, launched in 2025, details her six step process which not only helps those going through separation, but professionals working with couples in conflict to help them navigate the unexpected next steps of their lives.
In the course of the discussion Marcie explores her six steps which broadly cover
1) moving from a short term mindset and understanding you are co-parenting for the rest of your life
2) the ability to manage strong emotions; not ignore them, adds Marcie, but find ways to put them to one side to enable better communications
3) recognise changing boundaries and redefine new boundaries between you and your co-parent and children
4) establish ways to communicate without conflict, recognising it takes two to be in conflict so by using the right tools and not escalating situations, potential flashpoints remain calmer
5) making good parenting decisions; including how often do you meet, where do you meet, how you behave etc
6) moving from surviving to thriving; taking control of the things you can and understanding you can make a conscious choice around things you can't control.
The book comes three years after the landmark "No-Fault Divorce" legislation and at a time when the language of family law is under scrutiny, which, says Marcie, has changed, and will continue to change, the divorce landscape.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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In the latest episode of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie sits down with James Nutt, Laboratory Operations Manager at Cansford Laboratories, to explore a fresh perspective on the use of hair strand testing in the family courts.
This episode delves into the complexities behind what many might see as a straightforward scientific process. James offers an alternative view on how hair samples are prepared, how substances such as drugs or alcohol are extracted and tested, and what the results actually mean when they're presented in a legal setting.
A key focus of the discussion is the interpretation of results—particularly the often-misunderstood concept of cut-off levels, which determine whether a substance is reported as present or not. James explains the industry standards around these thresholds, their role in ensuring consistency across laboratories, and the importance of recognising both their strengths and limitations.
The conversation also touches on the variability of hair types and colours, external environmental factors such as UV exposure, and even how conditions like pregnancy can impact hair growth and potentially influence results. With such variability, James urges caution against over-reliance on hair strand test results in isolation.
Listeners will also gain insights into how hair analysis can help build a historical pattern of substance use, the challenges of testing for emerging drugs, and the importance of ongoing education and awareness for both practitioners and the courts.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
Podcast host David Opie is joined by Rukhsana Koser and Sarah Palmer, Solicitor’s at Enable Law, to discuss Special Educational Needs (SEN) and family law and shed light on the increasing challenges families face and how legal expertise can make a significant impact.
With personal experience growing up alongside siblings with learning difficulties, Rukhsana brings over a decade of experience in education law. She highlighted how families often struggle to secure the support their children are entitled to, particularly when local authorities shift responsibility onto parents.
Sarah, a seasoned solicitor with over 30 years of experience in family and children’s law, discussed how SEN issues frequently intersect with family law disputes. She has seen cases where disputes over schooling and educational needs become central to custody arrangements. Despite the complexities, legal intervention can help ensure children receive the right provision, whether through specialist schooling or proper assessments.
The Enable Law team plays a crucial role in guiding families through these challenges, from securing Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) to advocating for children with undiagnosed needs. Their work is often described as life-changing, empowering parents to navigate the system effectively and secure a future where their children can thrive.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
Podcast host David Opie in joined by CEO of the charity LawCare, Elizabeth Rimmer, to discuss their latest "Life in the Law" surveys which are now open for completion until Friday 21st March.
LawCare supports and promotes mental health and wellbeing across the legal services sector. They have 2 main focuses. Their first is in providing direct support on and offline for those who wish to reach out. Their second focus is on providing wider education and advocacy of mental health planning and promotion across the law. Importantly, says Elizabeth, LawCare help organisations understand how they can better support their people through identifying risk factors in the work place that undermine people's mental health
The survey last ran in 2020 with the results published in 2021 and found 69% of respondents said that had experienced poor mental health. Addressing some of the reasons why the survey found 1 in 5 respondents had experienced bullying and workplace harassment; and less than half of respondents with line management responsibilities had any formal training.
In 2025 there are 2 surveys to complete; one for individuals and one for organisations. More information about how to complete the surveys is on the LawCare website (Life in the Law) and below.
The surveys are asking questions about wellbeing, hours people work, psychological safety, burnout, management and support, and bullying and harassment.
For organisations, the survey is looking into whats steps are organisations taking to address the factors of poor mental health. Good mental health is a strategic investment, says Elizabeth. Staff who have positive mental health are going to be more effective, more productive, more likely to stay in the organisations.
The objective of the surveys is to help produce evidence based best practice for firms to practically implement into their organisations. This needs to be done properly, strategically, and you need to give people capacity to deliver it concludes Elizabeth.
Complete the surveys via the links below:
- Life in the Law 2025 (Individuals)
- Life in the Law 2025 (Organisations)
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
The Today's Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes back Dan Warburton, a law firm consultant and trainer who specialises in helping individuals delegate work more effectively; in the process junior staff are elevated, the individual has a happier work/life balance, and ultimately the firm can be more profitable.
It's a soapbox Dan has jumped on before having appeared previously on the podcast to discuss “the skill of profitable delegation;” creating leaders who can deliver high levels of performance across their team. Few partners achieve what Dan describes as a “transition out of being a technician in the business to being a business owner"; it should be their objective to remove themselves from a position where the structure and success of the organisation relies on them.
This discussion centres on the launch of Dan's book "Delegate Now to Supercharge Your Profits" in which he outlines the secrets to his methodology;
- including the key differences between "delegation" and "profitable delegation" - "It’s easy to delegate work away ineffectively... It’s a very different skill to delegate work away and have it handled to a high standard whilst gaining a great reputation and making a firm reliably profitable.")
- Proactive and reactive management - "I’ve come to see that there really is no other way than leading regular one-on-one calls to lead and manage team members effectively."
- Leading teams in a way that makes them loyal to you
Throughout the podcast Dan discusses tips and tactics for how to work with individuals in the business to help them become more efficient, effective and confident members of the team which in turn enables leaders to lead, rather than remaining forever in the The Law Technician’s Valley of Doom - It’s where partners are all burned out from working long hours and cannot see how to increase their firms’ profits without working even longer hours.
They cannot stop working, and they cannot take breaks to recharge their batteries very often. They take holidays infrequently because their firms rely on them so much to keep operating.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
In the latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie discusses the role of intermediaries in the justice system with Lucy Osmond, Lead Practitioner at Communicourt.
With over a decade of experience in facilitated communication, Osmond sheds light on the essential work Communicourt does in supporting HMCTS and ensuring that all court users can effectively engage with proceedings.
Communicourt provides impartial communication specialists who bridge the gap between court users and legal professionals. Their role is to ensure that individuals, particularly those identified as vulnerable - whether due to age, specific conditions, cognitive or neurodivergent needs, anxiety, or depression - can fully participate in their hearings. Importantly, a formal diagnosis is not required for an intermediary to be appointed; referrals can be made by solicitors when communication barriers are identified.
In family courts, intermediaries assist in standalone conferences, helping individuals understand proceedings, the roles of those involved, and the various stages of a case. Their support is highly tailored to each person’s needs, ensuring that they comprehend the questions they are asked and can respond effectively. As Osmond highlighted, there is no one-size-fits-all approach; intermediaries adapt their strategies dynamically throughout proceedings to provide bespoke, effective support.
A significant concern Osmond raised is the decline in referrals for intermediaries, despite their proven ability to improve access to justice. Many applications for intermediary support are made late in proceedings, often after key decisions have already been made. Early involvement, she emphasised, allows for more effective development and better outcomes for court users.
Despite some criticism, intermediaries play a nuanced role beyond simply providing breaks during hearings. Their work often goes unseen, such as monitoring attention levels or supporting individuals with literacy and processing difficulties. They are not legal professionals but highly trained communication specialists who undergo a rigorous training program, ensuring they can quickly build rapport and tailor their approach to each unique case.
This rapport point is important. Could artificial intelligence play a similar role? While valuable, says Osmond, it cannot replace the work of professionals. And to reduce the work of intermediaries to something that can be delivered by AI is to risk dismissing it as a “tick-box exercise. Indeed, Osmond concludes, research suggests their presence can save court time and costs by making proceedings more efficient.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
Launching the latest series of the Today's Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Head of the Family Department at Chester-based Oliver & Co Solicitors Alex Reagan to discuss the firm's proactive approach to marketing to help build the firm's profile.
Having launched a social media series called Family Fact Friday the firm has been using its presence, alongside other marketing channels, to promote their work and generate new business.
The videos, says Alex, are aimed at de-mystifying family law and helping people feel more comfortable with legal services if they ever need to engage a lawyer. They also introduce potential clients to members of the team and share a little bit about the person behind the video; providing much needed reassurance.
There is, reminds Alex, a balance between providing enough information to help people make an informed decision; and too much information which can overwhelm, or leave the firm in a difficult position when it comes to billing their time. They tackle this as best they can with a free 10 minute consultation (which can often take more than 10 minutes!) and a commitment in the team to set aside time daily to speak with prospective clients and enquiries.
And the firm has engaged extensively with external partners to support their awareness campaigns with relationships established with a local radio station, hospice, the GP surgery; and even creating educational books for children to help them understand what the family might be going through.
The glue that binds much of their activity together is their website which Alex says is informative different. As an employee-owned firm there is a real connection between employees and the business, which is reflected in the many positive comments on the website.
A fascinating take on the here and now, and future of law firm marketing, Alex shares her insight and experience throughout the discussion.
The link to the report into firm's use of social media mentioned in the recording is here:
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
Vanda James and Tom Quinn, both partners at Birketts LLP, join the latest Today's Family Lawyer to discuss the current sentiment around alternative and out of court dispute resolution.
Amongst the points up for discussion are
- Does out of court dispute resolution force people down a route that may ultimately end up in a more unfavourable settlement than they would get in court?
- Is the culture of family law changing in such a way that instead of court being the first option, ADR is now the first port of call
- How do we identify opportunities for private FDR
- What should the law commission come back with on their review of financial remedies
Both Tom and Vanda are advocates for out of court dispute resolution and acknowledge that although there are still lawyers out there who relish the adversarial nature of family, in general the culture is changing. Importantly, we are recognising the impact on parents and children, says Vanda, adding she personally finds the process more rewarding than going to court.
The changing culture has accelerated in part due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggests Tom, which have exacerbated court delays and the inability to have cases heard.
On Private FDRs both in favour; there is, says Tom, a risk in the courts system the judge has simply not had chance to review the bundle, and/or the hearing is bumped out because of capacity issues.
Vanda agrees; the delays place people's lives on hold for months on end; speed is a huge factor in the success of private FDRs. There is also greater availability to choose the judge; more barristers want to do this work; and fees are coming down to a sensible level so it's more accessible.
The only thing we lose, says Tom, is the 'gravity' of going to court and having to sit in front of a judge; it focuses the mind and there is more pressure on parties to settle... but realistically we have no other option these days because of the delays.
Concluding the discussion Tom and Vanda share their thoughts on what the law commission should propose following their review of financial remedies.
There should be costs consequences for proposals put forward on a without prejudice basis; but on potential proposals to introduce more prescriptive legislation he's wary as the current discretionary process has huge benefits.
On the other hand, says Vanda, clients want and need certainty; the discretionary element is important but we could do more to create greater certainty in the process.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
As one of the disruptors in the wake of the Legal Services Act 2007 QualitySolicitors (QS) was launched in 2009 with the ambition to help the high street fight back against the anticipated onslaught of major brands entering the legal market - so-called 'Tesco Law.'
QS grew rapidly, with firms up and down the country adopting the familiar black and pink branding, adding the name "QualitySolicitors" to their firm name to create greater brand recognition. In 2011 an investment of c.£100m saw Palamon Capital Partners take a majority stake in the group.
In the years since QS has remained steadfast in its support for the high street and, after a short stint as part of Metamorph, emerged relatively unscathed following a Management Buyout (MBO) in 2022.
On this latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie welcomes CEO Richard Skelley and Chief Operating Officer Victoria Browning to discuss what's next for QS.
There is still much continuity; Victoria has been with the business since 2016 overseeing much of the work done to support firms with recruitment and business development, employer branding and conveyancing panel services. And equally there are breaks from the past; QS firms no longer need to rebrand their firm for example.
The business is now focused on 4 key principles, explains Richard. The QS Way: A Philosophy for Sustainable Growth covers People, Process & Procedures, Power of Many, and Profile - principles supported by continued to efforts to help firms through the QualitySolicitors consumer-facing website which still generates 1m hits annually.
And membership has been reviewed with a new tiered approach offering free, 'lite' and full options for firms. It is, says Richard, a much more flexible approach than previously.
We've kept the great bits QS had - we have over 100 sites across the country and still have clients that joined right at the start - and augmented it with a range new options based on member feedback, concludes Richard, adding we are always happy to talk to firms interested in learning more about how QS can support them in the growth ambitions.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
The challenges of rising cost of living, wage growth, and getting on the property ladder has seen a significant increase in financial support offered by parents and grandparents to children.
1 in 3 first time buyers are cohabitees, and according to the Office for National Statistics figures there has been a 20% increase in the number of people not in marriages or civil partnership cohabiting since 2012; 5.4m people to 6.8m. It continues to be the fastest rising living arrangement.
Against this backdrop what happens when a cohabiting relationship breaks down, and parent/grandparents are concerned their financial support may end up in the hand of parties they don't want it to.
Kate Booth, Head of the Family Team at Brindley, Twist, Tafft & James Solicitors joins the Today's Family Lawyer podcast to discuss the issue, highlighting some of her recent work on the subject. She points to these often informal arrangements, whereby no discussion around repayment, or interest is considered, becoming a more formal concern in the event of a relationship breakdown, and/or sale of a property.
One of the main points of contention is whether the money is classed on separation as a gift or a loan. Kate also discusses the complications around hard and soft liabilities which can come into the matter as well.
In 2022, P v Q provides some pointers on how the courts might deal with debts and is a useful precedent when taking on such matters.
Kate explains in detail some of the considerations practitioners should account for when dealing with such maters in an informative and interesting discussion.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
The latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast explores the increasing importance of specialising in certain areas of the law and being regarded as an expert in your field.
Kim Lehal, Partner and Head of International Children at RWK Goodman, is one of just 49 accredited firms on the Ministry of Justice's Child Abduction: Accredited Solicitors Referral List. As such she is regarded as an expert in International Children matters specialising in international abduction, cross border adoption, surrogacy arrangements and other children matters.
She explains how important it is to be seen as the expert; how clients are far more sophisticated and looking for the best representation. They have access to greater information about their lawyers via the web which makes building credibility all the more important.
On a practical level, the constantly evolving nature of law means becoming expert in just a handful of areas is much more achievable; gone are the days of writing a client's will in the morning, and dealing with a divorce in the afternoon.
And alongside legal expertise, tactical and practical advice is important to the role of the family lawyer. Understanding how a situation might unfold and preparing for it.
It is critical, says Kim, the public have trust and confidence in us as lawyers. We should be personable, honest, and have confidence in our own abilities. It is a relationship with a client and therefore both client and lawyer need to comfortable working together.
In a fascinating discussion Kim shares how she came into family practice, how she began to specialise in children, and the importance senior lawyers play as mentors to junior practitioners.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.
Joining the latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast is Dan Temple, an expert in acknowledging and understanding the human impact of working, and managing employees and businesses. The discussion centres on creating effective and high performing teams, and what steps law firms can, and should, be taking to enable this in their business.
Dan leads Cobalt Human Solutions, a training consultancy which focuses on creating effective teams, drawn from his own experiences in the Royal Air Force as part of the Chinook helicopter crew.
The podcast discusses how creating high performing teams requires a number of key elements. Dan describes how trust and accountability are paramount.
- There should be a clear objective and vision which can be communicated to the team
- Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and people understand their own contribution to success
- Processes and procedures are in place that ensure the training is effective
- People have to have the ability to get on with others; they don't necessarily need to like one another, but there must be mutual respect
Ultimately, says Dan, the environment and culture of the workplace is where the success and failure of organisations is derived. He suggests that one of the key failings he identifies in many businesses is a blame culture; the inability of staff to be open, honest and appropriately challenge - what Dan describes as a "just culture." Staff are fearful of doing something wrong, rather than challenging management.
As well as root cause analysis, Dan encourages organisations to conduct "pre-mortems" - the idea being that you spend time identifying potential pitfalls in a plan and anticipate how you might deal with them should they arise.
And if you ever wanted to understand how the difference between egg mayonnaise and aircraft is relevant to leadership and management, listen in to this insightful and entertaining discussion.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Pre-nups, post-nups, separation agreements and cohabitation agreements are all part of the discussion on the latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast with Kathryn Cassells of Vaitilingam Kay Solicitors as we deep dive into this increasingly popular world.
As Kathryn quite rightly points out of course, nuptial agreements are not binding contracts in England and Wales and therefore the courts retain the discretion to impose an alternative outcome if it deems it to be more appropriate.
So why could/should we be encouraging our clients to draw up nuptial agreements?
In the first instance, although there is still judicial discretion, where agreements are presented to the courts, there is an increasingly acceptance of their inclusions with Kathyrn citing the Supreme Court decision of Rachmacher v Granatino, which outlined four key points of practice to note
- every party should have received independent legal advice
- there must be financial disclosure
- the agreement has to be entered into freely and more than 28 days before the wedding
- any agreement meet the financial needs of the parties
Needs, as Kathryn reminds us, is an elastic concept and therefore any agreement should account for the financial needs of the parties over the full duration of marriage, not just at the point of entering the agreement.
Other things that should be considered are issues around coercion, especially with the increasingly prevalent risk of domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviours; and drafting the nuptial agreement in such a way that it can flex with changing family circumstances and finances.
Ultimately says Kathryn, there is a misconception nuptial agreements are for footballers and the rich and famous and the reality is they are not.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Victoria Cannon joins the latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast to discuss her experiences of launching, running and ultimately exiting her family law practice. With a relatively unique journey into the profession, Victoria brings a range of life and personal experiences to her role now, as Head of the Family Team at Hugh James.
She talks about her decision to focus on family law and the challenges of setting up her own firm... the discussion covers regulatory and compliance, professional indemnity insurance, managing staff, business development, and much more.
Victoria explores the period of upheaval in legal services during which the introduction of the Legal Services Act and the associated deregulation of legal businesses had an impact; as did successive governments' falling investment in Legal Aid.
The discussion moves on to the importance of having senior leaders in the business who understand management and have business acumen; as lawyers we're not trained to be business people says Victoria, so we must learn it as part of our ongoing development.
And the podcast finishes with Victoria explaining how she began the process of deciding she was going to sell her firm in 2022 and what steps she took as part of that succession planning process.
What is clear throughout the discussion is Victoria's passions for the law and family legal services... but would she do it all again if she had the opportunity now... you'll have to listen in to find out!
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has recently requested law firms complete an anti-money laundering and sanctions data collection exercise. The SRA is required by Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS) to take a risk-based approach to supervision and is requesting firms complete the requested information as full as possible.
It will, they say enable them to "see the distribution of risk across the legal profession, which in turn informs our programme of inspections and our guidance."
The latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Gavin Ball of HiveRisk to tackle the tricky topic of what firms need to be thinking about when it comes to completing the information, and wider considerations when it comes to firms' anti-money laundering policies, processes and procedures.
In 2024 alone law firms have been fine £200,000 directly relating to failures in their anti-money laundering and sanctions processes.
Gavin goes on to discuss the areas he sees firms failing on as a compliance specialist. He talks technology and how it can help firms with their compliance obligations but warns the key is understanding what the information is telling you... in their audits the SRA will challenge firms and staff to interpret reports provided through technology and how to interpret its content.
Gavin also discusses politically exposed persons (PEPs), sanctions, and how to deal with reporting suspicious activity (SARs) to the National Crime Agency (NCA) in this informative and insightful podcast.
The deadline for firms to complete the SRA form is by 13.00 on 23 September 2024.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Caroline Glass is private domestic abuse advisor having worked extensively throughout her career with those impacted by domestci abuse. She had been part of the charity Refuge and was also an Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (IDVA) in Lambeth.
She has since decided to become a private advisor and joins the latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast to discuss her work and the way she works with family lawyers to provide a more holistic support network for clients.
Her starting point is always a detailed risk assessment, similar to those completed by IDVAs but as a private assessor Caroline says you can invest much more time into the client. As an IDVA you may have 30 clients at any one time; reducing the impact you can have as a professional. Whereas her caseload enables her to work with people in a more in-depth way.
Once the risk assessment is done she works with family practitioners to explore and understand options and rights; be they non-molestation orders, occupation orders, prohibited steps orders, housing rights, marital right, social service intervention etc. She sees her role as extending the knowledge a solicitor can provide.
Caroline also suggests she can have a role to play in helping firms understand and identify where domestic abuse and coercive control is happening, and educates many on the increasingly varied form it can take. She points to the rise of technological abuse as a growing concern; with the use of spyware to monitor phones and computers; home devices like Alexa and Ring doorbells as tools that can be used to monitor partners; and car tracking tools so perpetrators know where their victims go.
She also warns of the growing understanding and use of the language of domestic abuse and control being used by perpetrators to portray themselves as victims.
Caroline delivers a fascinating insight into her role and provides some really useful points for practitioners to consider in their day to day roles.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Reporting Manager at Lextox Donna Muldoon joins host David Opie in the latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast to discuss the practicalities of drug and alcohol testing on hair samples. If you ever wanted to understand how the drug and alcohol tests family practitioners instruct happen, this is the podcast to listen to.
At the outset of the discussion Donna explains how the process works; from instruction, through to collection and testing. She describes the process as like a tape recorder; hair can provide a useful history of drug and alcohol usage over time.
Donna explains some of the opportunities and pitfalls presented by drug and alcohol testing and the value they can add to court proceedings. She explains what can impact results; from physical factors like the cyclical nature of hair growth, to environmental factors like the way in which the drugs are taken.
At each stage, she adds, thorough checks are undertaken to ensure the results are legally defensible. It is also the responsibility of the drug and alcohol testing companies to help family lawyers and the courts understand the results, with Donna keen to stress they simply present evidence to the court. They are not there to provide commentary on the suitability of an individual to be a parent for example, that is for the courts to decide.
Drug and alcohol testing is not a silver bullet and Donna provides an excellent overview of the process for practitioners.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Lisa Payne is an Associate at Wilsons Solicitors and joins the latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast to discuss 'Resolution Together.' Also know as one lawyer, two clients, Wilsons have introduced the service in their firm with Lisa taking a leading role in championing it amongst the team and clients.
In this podcast Lisa discusses the impact it is having on her clients and her own family law practice., describing how the concept requires a mindset change from traditional family law in identifying and working with both clients to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome; rather than acting for one side only.
She also highlights the importance of introducing expertise around the matter as well, pointing to the role of divorce coaches, pensions experts, family therapists, counsel and others in supporting the practitioner, and clients, through the process.
You're actually doing your clients a disservice if you don't identify and point clients in the direction of further support says Lisa, encouraging practitioners to take a more holistic approach. Resolution Together is also more cost effective, and time saving as both parties hear what the advice from the experts is first hand jointly.
The response from clients, says Lisa, has been positive, suggesting the process is an organic move forward in the wake of the seismic changes brought about by no fault divorce.. rather than starting from a position of acrimony, couples have the option to divorce together, and importantly sort finances together at the same time.
That's not to say that Lisa still feels a responsibility to point clients in the direction of independent legal advice where needed; or that Resolution Together is the right route for everyone. Indeed some start down the path before seeking separate representation.
But for Wilsons, family law is changing and this has prompted the decision to introduce the service which saw Lisa complete 40-50 hours of training on the practicalities of the process, as well as additional considerations around safeguarding and domestic abuse; where there is a risk of coercion and control.
Listen in to hear Lisa's experience and insight into 'Resolution Together. '
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Never talk about politics or religion... while the latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast swerves the first, it tackles the second in a fascinating discussion with RWK Goodman's Clizia Motterle and Farzana Iqbal.
Divorce is a legal process not a religious one; however practitioners should be au fait with the cultural and religious background and diversity that is associated with divorce.
Religious divorce sits alongside civil divorce and will understandably vary depending on the religion in question, and even, says Clitzia, within different denominations. In the Church of England, for example, a civil process is sufficient to be considered divorced; whereas the Catholic Church doesn't recognise divorce, and instead should someone wish to remarry, they require a decree of annulment, proving the first marriage wasn't valid in the first place.
Both Clizia and Farzana explain they feel their own faith journey helps them with understanding and empathising with clients; enabling them to ask the right questions and understand the impact of the divorce on the couple and their wider community.
Both also discuss the tricky reconciliation in the inconsistencies between religious doctrine, and the law and how they tackle those; relating them to some of the work being done around out of court dispute resolution; the Islamic faith for example encourages mediation and reconciliation between couples.
Clizia and Farzana navigate a tricky subject expertly, providing insight into civil, cultural and religious considerations when couples separate.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
A sometimes overlooked and undervalued element of divorce proceedings is dealing with pensions which can have significant repercussions for those divorcing and places family practitioners in an important position of ensuring that both parties are adequately provided for both now and in the future.
To discuss this thorny issue, Natalie Lester, a partner in the family team at Debenhams Ottaway, joins podcast host David Opie to discuss some of her experience and strategies for supporting those going through divorce and specifically around dealing with pensions.
What is clear is the need for clients to fully understand their position. A pension might not be considered a tangible asset but is often worth more than the family home. In the case of divorce it's important therefore to ensure it is included in future financial planning to provide both parties with enough capital for their now and future needs; taking into account tax consequences and health planning.
Natalie shares her insight into what options are available to practitioners and the courts, including pension sharing orders and any understanding of the need to offset assets; and pension attachment or earmarking orders.
She also raises the issue of advising clients where one party might be more financially savvy than the other and not understanding the repercussions of waiving rights to pensions, particularly if those involved are in significant emotional turmoil.
This insightful and interesting discussion explores the options around advising clients on pensions when divorcing, drawing on Natalie's experience in practice.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
In the specially recorded podcast, the Today's Family Lawyer podcast joins forces with its sister podcasts from the Today's Conveyancer and Today's Wills and Probate online news publications to discuss the topic of mental health and wellbeing ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, from 13th May 2024.
Podcast host David Opie welcomes Rayden Solicitors' Legal Director Marc Etherington, alongside Michael Culver (Culver Law) and Laura Burkinshaw (Convey Law) to discuss the mental health and wellbeing of those working across family law, private client, and residential conveyancing. The three guests identify some shared, and unique, challenges they face in their own roles, and discuss their own experiences of dealing with their mental health and wellbeing.
What is clear from the discussion is that legal services is taking mental health and wellbeing much more seriously than it ever has; with firms taking a more proactive approach to support for staff.
The podcast moves on to explore a range of skills and tools we can employ in our own mental health and wellbeing journeys to cope with the stresses and strains of modern legal life; with some fantastic ideas shared to help people exercise their bodies and minds, cope and deal with their roles, and get into what is described as their "flow state"; the experience of being so absorbed by an engaging, enjoyable task that your attention is completely held by it.
The podcast is being published as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Hamza Hafesji, Group Product Manager at Advanced Legal, joins the latest Today’s Conveyancer podcast to discuss the importance of implementing a culture of performance management in a business.
For years the only time most employees receive any sort of constructive feedback has been in an annual appraisal. For Hamza, something has to fundamentally change and feedback must be much more of an ongoing process
He cites research from PWC, LexisNexis, Thomson Reuters and their own client surveys which point to the challenges that face law firms from an HR point of view. Indeed 3 in 5 law firms are concerned about talent and shortage and churn, and are consider it a barrier to their success.
He discusses organisations described as “Stay Firms” and “Go Firms” – firms who retain, and lose, talent. While acknowledging that remuneration plays a part in the success “Stay Firms,” the focus on their broader value proposition sees them not only retain staff, but makes them more efficient with higher billable hours and better staff mental health and wellbeing.
And lawyers themselves are more vocal about what they want from work. A staggering 44% of lawyers measure their stress levels at between 8-10 out of 10 in an Advanced Legal survey. That, and a lack of progression and professional development is often the cause of staff leaving.
“When we drill into this, we’re looking at a lack of mentorship and career guidance, a lack of promotion opportunities and the desire for greater on the job assistance. All of which can be described as performance management.”
This discussion covers a lot of ground around the value and importance of creating a culture of performance, normalising goal setting and providing a constant feedback loop between employees and managers. For Hamza, part of the success of implementing such a cultural change is in the adoption of technology to drive through the change and support managers to ask the right questions and enable those types of conversations.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
This latest podcast from Today's Family Lawyer explores the perennial question on the minds and lips of most businesses... what do clients really want?
A report from Law Firm Marketing Club does just that. Now in it's 4th year, "What Clients Want" is an extensive piece of research which asks consumers of legal services what they want from their law firm; from first introduction through to matter completion.
With 4 years' worth of data behind them, the report is now able to start tracking consumer expectations and trends over time. Once of the really interesting elements of the report is the breakdown by demographic of respondents and the changing expectations of consumers of legal services.
Client care and return business feature strongly in the report. 53% of respondents have used a law firm more than once but of those, a staggering 41% have not returned to the firm they'd used previously, but had moved to use a different firm. Read into that what you want but it's one of many statistics Clare shares in the course of the discussion.
The report delves in to the experience of using a law firm and in particular first impressions and onboarding. It is interesting to note that the way in which consumers select firms is changing, with a focus on sustainability and ESG higher on younger people's agenda.
There are plenty of lessons for firms as Clare shares details of responses to the extensive survey. The report is sponsored by Moneypenny and available via the Law Firm Marketing Club website
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast welcome Dan Warburton on to discuss the topic of leadership. Dan works with law firms leaders and partners to elevate their leadership skills to enable them empower staff to be more efficient and effective.
Dan describes his work as "the skill of profitable delegation;" to create leaders who can deliver high levels of performance across their team.
He cites the structure of many law firms in which lawyers are targeted on clients and the number of hours they bill... the system is set up in such a way that the more hours you work, in theory the more profit and remuneration can achieve. But when it comes to promotion what happens is you are expected to continue to build a client bank, and bill your hours, and manage a team of people. It is, says Dan, unachievable without simply more time into the equation, which has an impact on wellbeing and staff retention.
Few partners achieve what Dan describes as a "transition out of being a technician in the business to being a business owner. The structure and success of the organisation relies on them.
There is a way to resolve this, but we can only create successful teams when they willingly take responsibility for the success of the business. Dan shares his insight into how law firms can empower management teams and leaders to build trust and confidence in staff through regular one-to-one calls and coaching sessions.
There is a cycle that needs breaking in law firms, says Dan. If a partners we keep our head down and just keep trying to crank out work we build firms that rely on us. When our team want things from us and we tell them what they need, they just keep relying on us. We must delegate work away and create highly effective team members underneath us
Throughout the discussion Dan shares leadership insight and tools that leaders and manager can take away and implement today. One such example is the process of making requests, in which there are 3 key elements
- You must be clear on exactly what you want done; which must be measurable, not an abstract principle such as "keeping the client happy."
- It must have a timeframe
- You must have joint agreement and offer the respondent the opportunity accept, decline or counteroffer in order to reach a jointly agreed action plan.
Ultimately, says Dan, when leadership is in, it's in.. when leadership is out, it's out. Listen in to this interesting discussion for law firm leaders and managers.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Marc Etherington joins the latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast to discuss the upcoming changes to the Family Procedure Rules which will further embed non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) in the family justice and courts services.
Marc, the Legal Director at Rayden Solicitors, and a member of Resolution's National Committee, explains how The Family Procedure (Amendment No 2) Rules 2023 (SI 2023/1324) will come into force in part on 8th April 2024 and partly on 29th April 2024. Describing the changes as a "gamechanger" Marc discusses the specific requirements of the amendments which it is hoped will encourage more disputes to be settled through NCDR going forward.
Host David Opie and Marc discuss the government's approach to NCDR and mediation specifically. Despite rejecting proposals to make mediation mandatory, it has introduced a number of initiatives to encourage greater use of mediation including £170m committed in the Spring 2024 budget, the extension of the mediation voucher scheme, and the Pathfinder scheme trials in Wales an Dorset.
There is still a greater understanding of NCDR options required, suggests Marc and firms should encourage staff to undertake training to better understand how they can introduce these options to their clients.
On using NCDR as a way of easing the pressure on the courts system Marc says
"if you're able to settle your case during the court process, at any stage before the judge makes a final decision, that probably highlighted that actually you could have resolved away from the court process in the first place. If you have a case that goes all the way to a final hearing and the judge makes a decision, no matter how hard you tried, they were never going to agree. "
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast welcomes well-known cohabitation reform specialist and campaigner Graeme Fraser on to discuss the next steps for legislative reform.
Graeme is a partner and head of the family team at William Sturges and Chair the Resolution Cohabitation committee. He decries the lack of legislation in this important, and growing area of family law. 1 in 3 first time buyers are cohabitees, and with accommodation, whether rental or purchase, increasingly unaffordable, the issue is only going to be become more prevalent.
The key issues as Graeme explains, are the need for greater property rights, financial provision for children and arrangements for children; the gulf between rights when you're married and when you're not is huge, and there is still a misnomer that you have acquired rights by living together, when you simply haven't.
The issue is also a growing equality issue, with the need for law that acknowledges and respects contributions by both sides of the family, including bringing up children, and looking after the home. There is precedent; White v White and Burns v Burns comes to mind, but 40 years on the position is even more unclear than it's ever been.
Learning from other countries, Graeme explains that concerns over controversy are unfounded; the introduction of cohabitation reform has been relatively smooth he says, and often follow a couple of established paths;
- de facto relationships - couples are effectively considered married after a certain period of cohabitation
- Opt out position - you have to opt out of various protections given by cohabitation.
Graeme is keen to reaffirm that nobody campaigning for cohabitation reform is devaluing marriage. But legislation which conflates cohabitation with marriage is not the right route to go down; rather, he says, we should be looking at ways to protect couples, in particular women and children, from the pitfalls of separation in cases where the couple are not married.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Recorded shortly after the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Potanin v Potanina [2024] UKSC 3, partner at Hunters Law LLP Richard Kershaw join Today's Family Lawyer podcast host to discuss the implications of the decision in the family law sphere.
Richard outlines the facts of case; both parties are Russian citizens who were born, lived, married and divorced in Russia until the wife obtained a UK investor visa and bought a flat in London in 2014 after the divorce. The husband has accumulated a huge amount of wealth in the 1990's after the break of the Soviet Union as part of the wave of Oligarch's who benefited from privatisation of state assets. Many of these were held by various trusts and companies and in the process of the divorce they were not regarded as marital assets by the Russian court and the wide ultimately ended up with a settlement that provided her with a fraction of the overall assets.
By 2017 the wife was considered habitually resident in England and in 2018 she applied for permission to seek a financial remedy under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.
Litigation in this matter has so far resulted in near 50 court appearances with the matter working its way through the British legal system since 2018 where it is acknowledged that there is greater favour to financially weaker parties. In a series of "will they, won't they" rulings, leave is granted, refused (High Court), granted (Court of Appeal); with this latest judgement allowing the husband to appeal to the Supreme Court in a decision which will have an impact on future Part III of the 1984 Act and London's reputation for "divorce tourism."
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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In this first episode of the second series of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast host David Opie discusses drug and alcohol testing with Paul Hunter, Technical Director of Forensic Testing Service, and Sarah Branson, a Barrister at Coram Chambers.
The discussion centres around the risks associated with over-reliance on testing data; which may seem a strange topic of discussion for a testing service but as Paul Hunter points out, in many case the evidence provided through testing services simply isn't being appropriately challenged because it isn't fully understood.
Both Sarah and Paul warn against considering testing evidence as an exact science. There are so many factors which can impact test results, we must be careful to use testing results as part of a case, not necessarily as the silver bullet.
In a recent case Sarah identified a range of environmental factors which ultimately impacted the result of a hair strand test. A father was contesting the result of a test which indicated recreational drug use and was at risk of losing his child to foster care. In the case the use of heat to treat hair, in this example hair straighteners, resulted in the appearance of indicators suggesting the use of crack cocaine. The case was successfully defended once it could be proven that heat treatment had caused the appearance of this marker.
Similarly demographics, hair types and colours all impact the adhesion of markers to air so that when it is tested results will vary. Paul points to factors including where the hair is taken from (front, rear or side of head), the length of the sample, the extent to which the strand is protected from the external environment in transit to testing and others as all part of the chain of evidence which can impact the final analysis.
Paul and Sarah are keen to provide greater education around this fast-changing area of science and highlight the risks of testing being considered an exact science, which can ultimately result in miscarriage of justice.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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There are lots of people we can bring into family matters that will add value and help the solicitor along the way; and potentially save the client time and money. To discuss the topic of collaborative family law Stacey St. Clair a partner in the family team at Debenhams Ottaway joins Today's Family Lawyer host David Opie.
Stacey discusses the question of how we identify who, and when, we can bring in support the legal professional in the course of the matter. "We must assess everyone on their story," says Stacey, "who do we need around them to get the best advice and expertise. Do we need a therapist, counsellor, pension adviser, private wealth adviser, divorce coach, etc"
Stacey says her experience is that clients are scared of the end, scared of what happens when the divorce is finalised but if you have that set up and network from the beginning they know they won't be left on their own and they have that support throughout the matter.
In some instances it feels like you're trying to "sell" this approach to clients, suggests Stacey. People don't expect the conversation, they go to a lawyer because they want or need to get divorced; but it's all about the service and explaining to them that this is best way to go.
And when cost is discussed the lawyer is able to explain that it's more cost effective because having the right tools to enable speedy discussions and reach a fair settlement, rather than go through the court process. Indeed, given the delays in the courts at the moment there is a greater desire, suggests Stacey, to move to settle rather than go through the court process.
This interesting discussion on collaborative family law provides a fascinating insight into the practitioners experiences of making it work on a day-to-say basis.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
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The latest Today's Conveyancer podcast welcomes Nigel Shepherd on to discuss his role in, and view of, the implementation of The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (2020), best know as "No Fault Divorce."
Nigel has ardently campaigned for over 20 years to reform divorce law; work which has seen him be the only person to have chaired Resolution twice; from the first Law Commission consultation in 1996, through to the act receiving Royal Assent in 2020, and implementation in April 2022, a momentous day.
Through the course of the discussion Nigel shares insight into how he and Resolution shaped the legislation, and whether it has fulfilled its promise and delivered a simpler, and fairer way to divorce.
Nigel also reflects on the societal changes that have impacted the journey. A vocal element of the opposition to reform in the 90's raised concerns that reform would make divorce easier, an issue that Nigel indicates was much more marginal now. "Divorce is more 'acceptable now'" suggests Nigel as society has changed in the intervening period.
This insight into one of the pivotal changes of the law in recent memory is a fascinating listen as Nigel shares his thoughts on the consequences, intended and unintended of The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (2020).
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
In an extended episode of the Today's Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie interviews June Venters KC, who has spent much of her legal career breaking down barriers promoting equal opportunities in the law.
In 1991 June launched Venters Solicitors, at a time when it was unusual for females to lead law firms. And in 2006 she was the first female solicitor to become Queen's Counsel.
June talks about how her early life shaped her passion for justice and her unusual route to training to be a lawyer. In a colourful career she recounts sharing a taxi with Charlie Kray whilst doing work experience with her mother who was working in a criminal law firm at the time.
The conversation moves on to her becoming the first females solicitor to become Queen's Counsel, again by a rather circuitous route. On her success, June is keen to point to role of hard work, diligence, and no little encouragement from those around her to "give things a go."
"Opportunities in life are often presented," says June, "and whilst not every opportunity materialises, if you don't give it a go, you don't know."
Still actively working matters in her firm, June discusses some of the most rewarding cases of her career, with typical modesty focusing on righting the wrongs of a case where father had been prevented access to his children, rather than the high profile court cases she is known for.
And as an advocate for mediation and alternative dispute resolution, June explores the importance of cohesion, and education across family law to make ADR a first point of call for matter.
An inspiring discussion for people at all levels of the law, listen in to this latest podcast from Today's Family Lawyer.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Sally Jackson of Sally Jackson Coaching, and Julia Moreno, a family lawyer at Keystone Law and a trained divorce coach, on to the podcast to discuss the topic of divorce coaches.
The increasing use of subject matter experts across family law has led to a rise in the number of divorce coaches working with family lawyers; and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.
Sally and Julia explore what is a divorce coach, how do they work and what do they do amongst many other questions on their role and impact on the matter.
One of the things that is evident from the discussion is the level of training and expertise divorce coaches bring to the table. Sally has experience in nursing and grief support, is a health coach and menopause specialist, and lecturer in clinical communication at the University of Cambridge. Julia has also completed divorce coaching qualification and brings her own experience as a family lawyer
Both talk about about how emotions play a fundamental role in how you navigate the divorce process and final outcome. Both consider a divorce coaches role to facilitate a better and kinder experience of divorce, and minimise the damage to divorcing parties. Sally adds that i'ts important to help clients make informed choices and if divorce is the final decision (and it doesn't have to be in some cases) people can come out of the other side stronger.
When asked about supporting family lawyers to help them identify individuals who would benefit from a divorce coach, both feel strongly that additional training and education is key and explore examples from their own experience of maters where they have successfully intervened. Julia and Sally also share some thoughts on how and when they work best to support both clients and lawyers achieve the most suitable outcome.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Natasha Grande, Head of Family at Wilsons LLP, to discuss the impact of court delays on the day-to-day running of a busy family law practice with host David Opie.
Natasha explains that for most clients the two most important questions are how long is my matter going to take and how much is it going to cost? Historically, says Natasha, lawyers could be be quite positive on the timescales but with the latest statistics on private law children cases indicating that the process is taking 47 weeks , managing client expectations is much more difficult.
When it comes to why we still have delays it is difficult to ignore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which "altered successful timelines in family law cases which had been established in 2016."
Beyond that Natasha points to the increasing complexity of family law cases; exacerbated by delays, which often means that circumstances have changed and or new information comes to light which impacts the factual matrix. And of course with the latest Legal Aid contracts just released, family law continues to be chronically under-funded which has an impact on both public and private law matters.
It's not all doom and gloom and with the rise of alternative dispute resolution options, mediation, arbitration, "one couple, one lawyer," private FDR and more, practitioners are keeping more cases out of the courts. Keeping an open mind and deciding on the best and most appropriate course for clients is part of the family lawyer's responsibility.
Alongside the challenges of court delays, the role of family lawyers in reducing them where possible , the discussion also explore the impact of external factors like the increase of Litigants in Person; research in 2023 has shown that the percentage of cases which reached a final order where neither party had legal representation has increased from 14% in 2013, to around 40% now.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Following a short break over the Summer, the Today's Family Lawyer podcast returns with host David Opie speaking with Simon McCrum.
There isn't much Simon McCrum doesn't know about running a law firm having been there, done it, and got the t-Shirt. In this discussion Simon shares a little about his background and how he came to run the fastest growing law firms in the country before its acquisition.
He now shares his experience with other law firms as a management consultant and author of 2 books, "The Perfect Legal Business" and "The Perfect Lawyer," and through the course of the discussion Simon provides some fascinating insight into what he considers he did well, and what lessons he learnt along the way; all of which he includes in his books.
He describes how he encourages firms to find and use differentiators across their business and create a culture of buy in across the firm. "The ultimate differentiator is service, but the ultimate challenge is living that" says Simon. He encourages firms to take a long hard look at their business and ask themselves if they are truly offering a "Bentley service, for a Bentley price."
He moves on to discuss the content of "The Perfect Lawyer" in which he suggests the perfect lawyer is someone who has both pride in their own work and skills, and takes pride in, and understand their responsibilities to, the business; describing how "perfect lawyers" are nurtured by firms.
This insightful discussion with one of the most passionate and experienced professionals we've had on the podcast is a "must listen" for law firm leaders and aspiring leaders.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
If we thought branding was about logos and then we’re absolutely wrong... it's about reputation, meaning, culture, service and so much more according to Matt Davies who joins host David Opie on the latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast.
Matt lives and breathes branding and his enthusiasm for the subject comes across through this discussion which provides some useful pointers on what brand is, why it is important and where do we start?
Pulling no punches Matt challenges organisations and law firms to think about why they exist beyond making money.
"Nobody is interested in you wanting to make money," says Matt. "You may personally be in business to make money but your brand and business and what it's trying to do in the world needs to have a narrative and a story to position itself in such a way that is effective in its market place."
Your brand should be
- a story or narrative that your customers find interesting and exciting
- something that your people can buy into and rally around
"And here’s the kicker" adds Matt, "it has to be true and it has to be authentic, because in today’s world you’ll get found out."
In his work Matt asks 4 key questions of organisations.
- What do you exist beyond making money
- Who do we serve
- How should we show up for them
- What are we offering them
Throughout this insightful discussion Matt provides plenty of useful pointers ad tips organisations and law firms can take away and implement in their own business.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The True Worth Expert Vanessa Ugatti joins host David Opie on the latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast.
Vanessa works with professional services individual and organisations to help them understand their true value, and explain that better to clients to help them get paid their true worth, unapologetically.
In her work Vanessa sees individuals and organisations constantly undercharging, underestimating, discounting, over servicing; she explains how a lack of confidence in conveying value leads to firms making less money and working too hard.
She explains how there is a tendency to be fearful about charging for our work. While Vanessa doesn't give away all her secrets, during the podcast she provides some insight into her 9 Part True Worth Methodology; explaining how one of the key elements is helping people become more consciously aware of the value they're providing.
"We take for granted that we are experts," Vanessa explains. "It's easy because we've got 10-20 years experience." She suggests we need to "take charge" when it comes to pricing. "Modern lawyers have to be commercially aware which has a positive knock on effect on profitability and staff wellbeing because they're being paid fairly for the worth they do," she adds.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Nicola Rushton, Senior Associate at Forbes Solicitors in Lancashire, to discuss costs in financial remedy proceedings with host David Opie.
For Nicola, current costs rules don't provide any deterrent for litigants, and particularly litigants in person, to run cases that don't have merit or are disproportionate to the assets.
In an interesting discussion Nicola shares her thoughts on current case law, citing RM V TM [2020] EWFC 41 in which Justice Peel QC provides a damning assessment of the litigation costs saying
"There may be worse examples of disproportionate and ill-judged litigation, but none spring to mind. It's hard to express what a calamitous waste of resources this has been."
The case resulted in legal costs spiralling to 94% of liquid assets as each side continued to robustly reject any negotiation. In the end each party walked away with just c. £5,000.
Nicola also cites a more recent case presided over by Mr Justice Mostyn OG v AG [2020] EWFC 52 which provides another reminder of the dim view the courts will take on delay and dishonesty, using costs as a method to penalise those who fall foul.
"Seeking costs puts the other side on notice," says Nicola acknowledging that you very well not be awarded them, but they are part of the practitioner's armoury when it comes to financial remedy proceedings.
Nicola shares her thoughts on the importance of seeking orders for costs, and what practitioners need to consider throughout the proceedings to ensure you are protecting your clients from the risk of costs orders. being imposed on them.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Tara Dunne (OurFamilyWizard) and Pelumi Adeola (BHP Law) to discuss how technology is changing the narrative around adversarial divorce proceedings.
Promoting positive communication between those separating, and their representation, is critical. Alongside the work being done through alternative dispute resolution and by organisations like Resolution, what else can we do promote a more positive experience.
And where children are involved, how can we ensure they aren't drawn into the war of words which can cause so much harm. How can we shield them both during divorce proceedings and beyond.
Tara and Pelumi discuss the move toward using online communication platforms to help support all those involved in the separation process to communicate more effectively and constructively.
They discuss the bygone days of the handover book, with it's many flaws, errors, manipulation and deliberate deception. Where in many cases the child is exposed to harmful messaging and vitriol. To be replaced by a more modern, trustworthy, and collaborative technology.
As Pelumi says, the important thing for parents to remember is that they are divorcing each other, not their children, and we must place their wellbeing at the centre of considerations.
This interesting discussion explores how adopting technology has the potential to help family lawyers and their clients achieve more constructive outcomes.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Since 1993 Derek Parsons, a solicitor at RWK Goodman, has specialised in Child Abduction work and joins this latest Todays' Family Lawyer podcast to discuss his experience.
Derek explores the reasons why children can become removed from their homes and the work he does in ensuring they are protected. Broadly speaking much of Derek's work revolves around the Hague Convention, which protects children from removal from their "habitual home." However, as Derek explains, there is more nuance to the issue and explains how culture and circumstance can impact his work.
What happens if the country you're dealing with isn't a member of the Hague Convention? How are issues with funding dealt with? How long do you need have lived somewhere before it becomes the "habitual residence?" How do we ensure children remain at the centre of the discussion, rather than become a pawn in the dispute between parents? At what age does the child have a more active say in their futures?
In a fascinating discussion Derek explores the origins and consequences of child abduction cases, the changing nature of the work and the impact of geo-political issues like Brexit and conflict, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The latest episode of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast welcomes James Brown, one half of Manchester headquartered Hall Brown Family Law.
In this edition James discusses the launch of Hall Brown, and how they have developed the strategy and business to become “simply the best in the North West” as a Legal 500 Tier One firm; a status they have achieved three years running, despite only launching in 2016.
James talks through the journey he and co-Founder Sam Hall embarked on when they left their respective roles to set up Hall Brown. In particular he discusses the culture they set out to create, the support they provide their staff and their unique approach to recruitment.
He also explores what he describes as the "simplicity" of a legal business. Law firms essentially sell time and expertise. He describes the team as the business development resource, the manufacturing line, the marketing resource and the accounts team and outlines some of the work they do as an organisation to invest in and reward their staff.
Interestingly James shares the Hall Brown approach to the working from home/working from the office expectations for staff, which includes his thoughts on the often-mentioned issue of "learning by osmosis."
The wide-ranging, frank and enjoyable discussion provides some insight into the lessons Sam and James have learned along the way and their passion for family law.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
In this latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast host David Opie is joined by family lawyer and domestic abuse specialist Richard Port MBE.
Richard is well known to many family lawyers and the wider family law community for his outspoken views, particularly on social media. He has also been awarded an MBE for his commitment to his specialism and on this podcast he shares some of his experiences, hopes and frustrations for the law around domestic abuse and the wider social impact.
Richard is passionate about helping those affected get the right representation and works extensively within his local community and beyond. Challenged on whether he thinks the law is finally getting to grips with domestic abuse he suggests that progress has been made but that there are significant strides still to be made.
He reflects on the language of "domestic abuse," no longer "domestic violence," to encompass the different elements including coercive control.
He laments the stigma attached to victims, and reminds us that those affected come from all walks of life. He discusses the need to "normalise" the conversation and improve the information around domestic abuse at all levels, from schools and young people through to the national press.
And despite government assurances that funding would be made available, it simply isn't. Nor, says Richard, is there enough training on preventative initiatives like "domestic violence protection orders" and "domestic violence protection notices" and calls on officialdom to ensure that the right training is being provided to make better use of the resources available.
Discussing his own work Richard acknowledges that it is a challenging and at times "dark and daunting" calling but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. This latest podcast is a fascinating insight into the life of lawyer specialising in domestic abuse.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast focuses on the tricky topic of ethics in family law. Joining host David Opie to discuss the ins and outs of the subject is Helen Young , head of the family team at Debenhams Ottaway.
With 30 years experience as a family practitioner, Helen brings a wealth of experience to the discussion. For many, instructing a family lawyer is a distress purchase. Helen points to adherence to the SRA code of conduct and Resolution code of practice as a blueprint for ensuring the highest standards of ethics are maintained.
In her role as a leader in the Debenhams Ottaway business, Helen discuses the importance of upholding clear ethics and expectations when it comes to creating the right culture; and highlights the challenge of getting recruitment right to maintain the right balance in the team.
It is well documented that there is a generational difference in the workplace as millennials and young lawyers want to do work that has purpose and value; so the responsibility of the employer is to ensure they have that work available, and a clear progression path for those that want it.
Helen also shares her thoughts on the current issues in family law (delays in the family courts etc), unbundling and the ethics of properly advising clients around alternative options like mediation, and the impact of no-fault divorce.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
In this latest episode of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast host David Opie is joined by National Association of Licensed Paralegal's (NALP) former CEO and now Patron Amanda Hamilton
Starting out running paralegal training programmes in the 90's, at a time when the term "paralegal" was starting to be used more regularly in the UK following its migration from America, Amanda took on the role as CEO of NALP in the mid 2000's.
NALP's objective is to champion the role of the paralegal and better prepare them for the world of legal, with a range of qualification available for members. It has also worked to shape the role of the paralegal in the UK, moving from it being a stepping stone for law graduates, to being a recognised profession in its own right, with an expertise and skillset to match.
Amanda discusses how the challenges presented by the legal aid reforms since 2013 has paved the way for paralegals to play their role in providing access to justice for many people who simply can't afford alternative legal representation.
And they can play an increasingly important role in many law firms. Amanda calls on firms to take a more diverse view of who can be a paralegal (it's not just a law graduate looking for their first role), and the positive role they can play in the firm (ensuring the do not cross the line into reserved activities.)
For Amanda there is a commercial opportunity for firms as well where paralegal can undertake matters traditionally done by solicitors, and continue to bill at a reasonable rate, creating the opportunity for solicitors and partners to take on more complex and lucrative work.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
In this latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast host David Opie is joined by Paula Backen. Paula is a qualified speech and language therapist and started working as an intermediary just over 10 years ago.
Since the set up of registered intermediaries for criminal witnesses in 2003, the role of the intermediary has developed but is still much misunderstood according to Paula.
The role of the intermediary is about advising the court on communication with people who are vulnerable. Paula emphasises the difference between an intermediary and an advocate, and an intermediary and an expert witness.
An intermediary may not have any legal training and therefore they are not there to advise on the legalities of the case. It is a support role purely to enable a court to better communicate with those who are vulnerable, or have disabilities which make communication more challenging; many of whose disabilities the court is simply unaware of.
Paula explores why there is such an inconsistency in the use of intermediaries, particularly in family courts, she discusses the shortage of intermediaries and what is being to provide more support, and the challenges presented by COVID and the use of video in a role where visual cues are so important to support communication
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Recorded in November 2022 this Today's Family Lawyer Podcast features Head of Modern Families Department at Burgess Mee Natalie Sutherland discussing her work as a fertility and surrogacy law specialist and the launch of the Fertility Workplace Pledge; a commitment by business to better engage with the fertility challenges employees often face.
The discussion covers her work and support for the extension on the time limit on freezing eggs (previously 10 years within the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (HFEA)).
Natalie also covers her thoughts on the delayed reform of surrogacy laws which we continue to wait further details around.
A passionate advocate of those going through fertility challenges Natalie suggests that the process of consent, while important, may be over complicated with up to 80 pages of consent forms before treatment in some cases.
She also feels strongly that people who wish to undertake fertility treatment should be better informed around the legal consent implications, not just the clinical implications. Involving a lawyer may not be what everyone wants, but doctors and nurses don't want, nor are they best positioned, to provide legal advice around consent.
Natalie also discusses her experience of a recent case in which she acted on behalf of a family who wished to retrieve sperm from their son who'd had a stroke at a very young age, and was unlikely to regain consciousness.
The challenge for many family lawyers is that the law has not kept pace with science or society and we need to create a more joined up process between the legal and clinical side of fertility treatment.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
With Resolution's "Good Divorce Week" in full swing this episode of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast sees host David Opie speak with Annabel Andreou, a family divorce lawyer at Debenhams Ottaway about the ins and outs of a "Good Divorce."
Annabel discusses her thoughts on what a "Good Divorce" might look and feel like from a client and practitioners point of view.
Annabel acknowledges that it may not be achievable in all cases, but that a "Good Divorce" should be the focus for all family practitioners; focusing wholly on the outcomes for the client.
Pressed on whether conceptually a "Good Divorce" is the same for all family law practitioners Annabel concedes the profession has some way to go to shed some of the stigma attached to family law; and highlights the work of organisations like Resolution in promoting a more positive message.
Indeed, says Annabel, promoting a more positive message has a commercial benefit for law firms beyond the final client bill, with culture, marketing and staff retention/recruitment all impacted.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
The government's decision to reject almost all proposals for cohabitation law reform put forward in the Women and Equalities Committee’s recent report may be the result of an administration with bigger fish to fry but is disappointing nonetheless.
In this latest podcast from Today's Family Lawyer, host David Opie speaks with Hunter Law LLP Partner Richard Kershaw about the myth of the common law spouse and the anguish the absence of codified legal process brings to separating couples.
With societal change, falling rates of marriage and increased cohabitation, Richard urges a more holistic approach be taken to tackle the common misconceptions associated with cohabitation and couples and families be much more aware of the ramifications through education during the course of property transactions and wills, LPA's and trust discussions.
Richard also shares his own thoughts on the challenges to changing current attitudes and legislation.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
In this Today's Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie is joined by baby-loss awareness campaigner Keeley Lengthorn.
Keeley is a partner at Taylor Rose MW and has spent much of 2022 campaigning for greater baby-loss awareness in UK employment conditions.
Keeley tells her own story which tragically involves her own loss and being the first person in the firm to be the beneficiary of the official baby-loss policy within Taylor Rose MW, a policy which ensures that employees have at least three days’ paid leave for any miscarriage under 24 weeks – the current threshold under which there is no statutory protection.
Her campaign has taken her to the House of Commons where Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has supported with the introduction of a 10-minute rule bill entitled the Miscarriage Leave Bill. Its second reading takes place on 2nd December. And just 2 weeks ago Baby-Loss Awareness Week concluded with Wave of Light during which people around the world light a candle in memory of the baby or babies they have lost.
But even with the difficulties in getting bills onto the legislative agenda, Keeley remains bullish and is calling on organisations to adopt a baby-loss policy in the business to help support all those affected. Today's Media, the publishers of Today's Family Lawyer and this podcast have supported Keeley since being made aware of the campaign and are proud to say we have adopted the policy, which is available from Keeley directly should anybody wish to access a copy.
Listen in to hear Keeley's incredible journey.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.
Today's Family Lawyer is an online news publication for family lawyers providing daily updates and insight into the family law practice area.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast joins the already established and successful podcasts available via the Today's Conveyancer and Today's Wills and Probate publications in bringing you the latest discussions from around the industry.
In this inaugural podcast, host David Opie is joined by Olivia Piercy, a partner at London-based Hunters Law LLP. Olivia's passion lies in protecting those are impacted by domestic abuse and coercive control and eloquently discusses the current legislation and sentiment around the topic.
One of the biggest challenges identified by Olivia is enforcement of the "huge raft of legislation" which has come into effect around domestic abuse and coercive control. Olivia also shares her insights into the changing nature of abuse and the rise of online and digital as a forum for abuse and how we can start to support those affected.
The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.
Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector.