Knowledge and resources

Apply is a new digital service which will be replacing CCMS when making applications for legal aid.

Resolution has published its response to the President of the Family Division's report on medical expert witnesses in the family courts.

The LAA is now publishing more detailed provider information which will be updated monthly.

The LAA have provided an update on the Civil Legal Advice telephone service.

Most practitioners have a good relationship with the LAA but sometimes things do go wrong and you can’t seem to resolve the issue.

The LAA updated its guidance in October 2019 to include counsel high cost payment on account scenarios.

Separated migrant children have improved access to legal aid from 25 October 2019.

This is the Resolution complaints policy and procedure.

Clive Weir reports on the latest news regarding the reforms to public sector pensions.

The Help & Support for Separated Families Mark (HSSF Mark) identifies professionals who promote collaboration between parents.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 has now come into force.

All mediators must be aware of the requirements of the new legislation as it sets out requirements for all traders and service providers. It covers all aspects of consumer rights and the responsibilities of traders and service providers. This includes, for example, unfair terms and cancellation fees. Mediators must comply with the legislation as it applies to all traders and service providers who charge a fee for their services.

The purpose of this document is to highlight the key Mediation claiming issues that continue to be identified by the LAA. By being aware of these issues a more focused approach can be adopted, so that Providers are more able to submit accurate claims. It should also be noted that these areas will be specifically scrutinised by the LAA during any future visits or audits.

What follows is a selection of comments made to practitioners and potential responses. These are not 'scripts' but ideas as it is also important that you say things in a way that is authentic to your speech and therefore for anyone you are speaking to.

Resolution members are all committed to working in a conciliatory way and adhering to the Code of Practice. This means that you should ensure that even when you are faced with a complaint (and possibly a very angry person), that your commitment does not vary from your normal professional approach.

This is the landing page for all resources for our mediator members. Here you can download all of your mediation documents.

On 6 April 2016, radical changes are to be made to the state pension of which practitioners must be aware.

The current state pension scheme (“the current scheme”) applies to those already claiming their state pension and those who will reach state pension age prior to 6 April 2016.

The Pensions Act 2014 introduces a new state pension scheme (“the new scheme”) for those who will reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2016 (ie men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953).

The widely publicised pension freedoms were introduced on 6 April 2015 and brought with them a number of unexpected, and almost certainly unintended, consequences for family lawyers and their clients. One of the most concerning consequences is the effect of the freedoms on existing Pension Attachment Orders. This briefing addresses that specific issue.

Since 25 November 2013, the Child Support Agency (CSA) will no longer accept new child support cases. All new applications are now dealt with under the new scheme, with new rules, by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).

It was heartening to see Sir Andrew McFarlane, the new President of the Family Division, and Sir James Munby, the former President, open their discussion at the PSU ‘Future of the Family Division’ event in October by talking about the importance of wellbeing for family law professionals.

Resolution members have increasingly found they must work with litigants in person (LiPs).

In this article we address some key questions you may have when working with litigants in person and provide some top tips for communicating with your client when a litigant in person is involved.