News

Resolution, The Law Society and Women’s Aid have issued a joint call to the government to urgently bring forward promised legislation banning the cross-examination of domestic abuse victims by alleged perpetrators in the family courts, ahead of a parliamentary debate on the progress in protecting victims of domestic abuse in the family courts today (Wednesday 18thJuly).

Speaking about this morning’s Supreme Court judgment in favour of civil partnerships for opposite sex couples, Graeme Fraser, Chair of Resolution’s Cohabitation Committee, said:

Resolution lawyer Tony McGovern of Creighton & Partners was celebrated by his peers last night, receiving a Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) award in the Family (including mediation) category. He has been practicing for over 20 years, specialising in cases of utmost complexity. His clients are often troubled and damaged and in 2017 he successfully appealed a court circuit decision, giving a mother and her children the chance to have their Article 6 rights upheld.

Our June 2018 Policy Brief looks at developments in court modernisation, no-fault divorce, Brexit and cohabiting couples.

Juliet Harvey of Birketts has become the first Chartered Legal Executive to serve as Vice Chair of Resolution. Announced at Resolution’s annual general meeting, she will serve two years as Vice Chair before taking up her position as National Chair in 2020.

Senior family lawyers gathered outside Parliament today to call on Government to reform outdated divorce laws and remove the need for blame from the process.

Three Resolution members have been shortlisted for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2018. Tony McGovern, Lesley Monkhouse and Philip Wilkins have all been named as finalists in the Family (including mediation) category.

Hundreds of family lawyers are gathering to highlight the urgent need to introduce no-fault divorce. The call for change takes place at the annual conference of Resolution, the national family justice organisation.

Earlier today (20 April), Margaret Heathcote became National Chair of Resolution. Here is her inaugural address to the 30th National Conference, taking place in Bristol on 20-21 April.

In response to today's comments from the Justice Minister to further postpone the review of legal aid, and alongside the announced changes to the cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses, Resolution Chair Nigel Shepherd said: