News Essentials: 23rd October 2021

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

NEWS

Victims to get more time to report domestic abuse in England and Wales
Home Secretary Priti Patel has backed calls to change the law to give victims of domestic abuse more time to report a crime, the BBC has been told. Full story: BBC News.

Judge criticises McKenzie Friend over timing of application to revoke adoption order
A disputed adoption case has highlighted the problems of reliance on a McKenzie Friend rather than a solicitor in proceedings, a Family Division judge has suggested. Full story: Local Government Lawyer.

£2.8 million for research to improve the lives of children and families
The Nuffield Foundation has awarded £2.8 million for an ambitious research programme to improve the lives of children and families by better understanding their needs and experiences. Full story: Nuffield Foundation.

Reports of the Farquhar Committee on the Financial Remedies Courts - Parts 1&2
Both parts of The Financial Remedies Court - The Way Forward report have been published. Full story: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.

Largest ever legal aid inquiry calls for independent fee review
An independent legal aid fee review panel, publicly funded training grants and developing robust mechanisms to measure legal need to inform the commissioning of services are just a few of the detailed recommendations made by a cross-party group of MPs following what is believed to be the biggest legal aid inquiry ever conducted. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

Speech by the President of the Family Division: “Interesting Times”
Sir Andrew McFarlane was speaking at the FLBA national conference in Manchester. Full speech: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.

CASES

Lincolnshire County Council v CB & Ors [2021] EWHC 2813 (Fam) (21 October 2021)
Case management judgment in care proceedings, concerning whether case should be listed for a 5 day composite final hearing or a 20 day fact finding hearing. Full report: Bailii.

Z (No.3) (Schedule 1: Further orders) [2021] EWFC 85 (20 October 2021)
Schedule 1 Children Act proceedings. Judgment concerning interim maintenance and costs. Full report: Bailii.

ES v LS [2021] EWHC 2758 (Fam) (18 October 2021)
Application by father for summary return of children to Latvia. Return refused, on basis off settlement and children's objections. Discussion re: allowing oral evidence. Full report: Bailii.