News Essentials: 10th October 2020

A brief summary of the essential family law news and cases from the last week: 

NEWS

Extra support for councils to expand services for domestic abuse victims and their children
Consultation launched on allocation of funding. Full story: Family Law Week.

LawCare launches research study 'Life in the Law'
Legal mental health charity LawCare has announced a new ground-breaking research study 'Life in the Law' ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October. Full story: Family Law Week.

New complaints handling guide offers advice to local authorities
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has issued new guidance on effective complaint handling for local authorities. Full story: Family Law Week.

Forty-one family Recorders appointed
The appointments will take effect from 12 October 2020. Full story: Family Law Week.

Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot appointed to High Court bench
Senior District Judge and Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot has been appointed a Justice of the High Court. Full story: Family Law Week.

Adoption and Fostering (Wales) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020
Regulations come into force on 1 November 2020. Full story: Family Law Week.

Resolution launches wellbeing programme for World Mental Health Day
Resolution, the family justice membership body, has today launched a major new initiative to tackle the growing concerns over practitioners’ wellbeing, and is encouraging professionals to provide their views in a major new survey. Full story: Family Lore.

Back bill to ban marriage for under-18 in England and Wales, MPs urged
Loophole allowing marriage with parental consent undermines UK’s global stance on child marriage, parliament to be told. Full story: The Guardian.

Contacts to NSPCC helpline about domestic abuse up by nearly 50 per cent
Since the introduction of national lockdown measures, the number of contacts to the NSPCC helpline from people concerned about children living in homes with domestic abuse rose by 49 per cent. Full story: Family Law Week.

CASES

E (A Child : Care proceedings : Costs) [2017] EWFC 118 (17 October 2017)
Judgment in care proceedings concerning child born in 2013, including ruling in relation to costs applications. Full report: Bailii.

Y (Leave to Oppose Adoption), Re [2020] EWCA Civ 1287 [2020] EWCA Civ 1287 (07 October 2020)
Appeal by a local authority against an order in adoption proceedings concerning a child, Y, now aged 2 years 8 months, granting Y's parents leave to oppose the making of an adoption order. Appeal dismissed. Full report: Bailii.