'No fault' divorce comes into law
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act comes into force today, meaning divorcing couples are no longer required to assign blame for the breakdown of their marriage.
The change is celebrated across national and local media, with comment from the Law Society widely cited, by the BBC, ITV News, the Gazette, City AM, Lad Bible, TechRegister, Stoke Sentinel and scores of other local news outlets.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: "We are delighted that the divorce system – unchanged for more than 50 years – will finally be modernised to reflect the society we live in.
"No fault divorce will cut unnecessary conflict from the separation process – allowing couples to move on amicably."
Karen Dovaston, interim chair of our family law committee, told the BBC: "This new law will be more humane. It also recognises the dignity of people wanting to be divorced, and it gives them some autonomy.
"I'm hoping that that sets the tone and the culture and it will roll over into resolving financial and children matters – that's where you really want to have a civilised settlement and a resolution."
Ask a solicitor
As part of our regular Ask a Solicitor broadcasts, David Hodson, a member of our family law committee, was on BBC Radio Devon (from 14:30) discussing 'no fault' divorce.
'Dangerous' scapegoating of lawyers
K News reports lawyers are warning journalists and politicians are 'scoring easy points' by targeting the profession for work for Russian clients, noting a letter from Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce to the Times in which she said: "It is dangerous to seek scapegoats and single out British lawyers."
The article also notes the Law Society said: "There is a conflict of two things. One is this issue around Slapps – the use of the English jurisdiction to chill free speech. The other is the point about law firms that had established themselves in Moscow."
Elsewhere, Legal Futures takes aim at mid-size firms picking up work for oligarchs that has been let go by big city firms.
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