Family Law

This year Newswatch readers were most interested in the second annual Family Law Awards, reflecting how the event has grown considerably since the inaugural ceremony. The Family Law Awards 2013 will be held on 9 October 2013 at the Hilton on Park Lane and nominations will be accepted in the New Year. 

The other most read articles are broadly as expected with interest in the modernisation of family justice, new legislation and guidance and senior lawyer appointments. 

Below are the ten most read news articles that featured on the Family Law website in 2012. 

We hope you have a good Christmas and we look forward to bringing you more family law updates in the New Year. 

1. Family Law Awards 2012

Over four hundred family lawyers from across England & Wales came together in October at the Hilton Park Lane in London to celebrate Jordan Publishing's second Family Law Awards. The popular host for the evening was last year's winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Family Law, District Judge Nicholas Crichton. 

2. Government responds to Family Justice Review

In February, the Government issued its official response to the Family Justice Review, in which it announced plans to introduce legislation ensuring children maintain an ongoing relationship with both parents following divorce and separation.

3. Justice Ryder publishes proposals for the modernisation of family justice

Following on from the Family Justice Review, in July Mr Justice Ryder published his final report on the modernisation of family justice, which makes recommendations which could be implemented by the judiciary. They are intended to change the culture of the family courts and reduce delays by introducing better management practices which improve continuity.

4. New guidelines in relation to children giving evidence in family proceedings

In January, new guidelines were published on the issue of children giving evidence in family proceedings, have been produced by the Family Justice Council Working Party on Children Giving Evidence, chaired by the Lord Justice Thorpe.

5. 1996 Hague Convention comes into force on 1 November 2012

Last month the 1996 Hague Convention came into force. Although the Convention was concluded 16 years ago, it has only been ratified by the United Kingdom this year. The subject matter of the 1996 Hague Convention is wide ranging, covering not just the physical protection of children but also matters such as parental responsibility, contact, residence, children's property, guardianship and foster parents.

6. Manches Helen Ward to join Stewarts Law

Leading family law solicitor Helen Ward announced in September that she was leaving Manches to join Stewarts Law as a Partner together with six members of her team. The news clearly created quite a stir in the family law community, evidenced by the fact that it was one of the most read articles of the year. 

7. Law Commission announces review of financial provision arising on divorce

In February, the Law Commission announced that it was extending its review on marital property agreements to cover issues of financial provision arising on divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership.

8. Seven new family law QCs appointed

There is always a lot of interest when the Lord Chancellor announces the list of QC appointments and 2012 was no different.  Although this year we're proud to say that five of the seven new family silks have written for Jordan Publishing or have been a speaker at one of our conferences.

9. Number of cohabiting couple families increased to 2.9 million in last decade

New statistics released in January from the Office for National Statistics showed the number of cohabiting couple families has risen dramatically in the last decade from 2.1 million to 2.9 million.

10. Legal aid bill set to become law

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill made its way through Parliament in April after the House of Lords failed in their attempt to make amendments to protect victims of domestic violence.