'No fault' divorce comes into law
Coverage continues of long-awaited changes to the divorce laws.
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act came into force this week, meaning divorcing couples are no longer required to assign blame for the breakdown of their marriage.
Red Magazine and ELLE UK plus others report on the changes with quotes from Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce.
She 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.
"This divorce reform will bring our marriage laws into the 21st century and ensure that, in the future, separating couples and their children do not suffer unnecessary conflict."
Meanwhile former lord chancellor Robert Buckland namechecks the chair of the Law Society's family law committee, Karen Dovaston, in an article for The House Magazine on the reforms. He wrote: "This is, as Karen Dovaston, a member of the Law Society and long-time campaigner for no-fault divorces put it, a 'more humane' way to approach what is inevitably a painful process."
Sheeran victory
Giles Parsons, a member of our intellectual property law committee, spoke with talkRadio (in the 9:30 to 10:00 section from 12:52) and Channel 5 News after Ed Sheeran won his High Court copyright battle.
SQE fee hike
The Solicitor Regulation Authority's (SRA) announcement of increases in Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE) fees is covered by the Lawyer and Today's Wills & Probate with quotes from I. Stephanie Boyce.
She said: "We understand that businesses and institutions across England and Wales are increasing their fees because of inflation. But we are concerned about what this could mean for aspiring solicitors from lower socio-economic backgrounds, especially at a time when we know the cost of living is due to skyrocket again in October.
"It was hoped that the SQE would increase social mobility. However, with rising costs and a lack of loans for those who need them, this aim looks less achievable. We repeat our call to the UK government to provide access to funding for those wishing to take the SQE to ensure everybody has the same opportunities and choices available to them regardless of background."
Read our information on the SQE
Funding criminal defence work
The future of criminal legal aid is the subject of an in depth look in the Gazette news focus. The article quotes I. Stephanie Boyce saying: "When considering whether to take up new criminal legal aid contracts, our members will need to think long and hard as to whether they believe there is now any prospect of a viable economic future in criminal legal aid. Sadly, unless the government changes tack, we no longer believe that there is."
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