News Essentials: 4th June 2022

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

NEWS

Mediation to help thousands more families avoid costly legal battles
Thousands more separating parents will avoid stressful and expensive courtroom battles after a government mediation scheme was more than doubled in size. Full story: Ministry of Justice.

UK to partially ratify domestic abuse convention after 10-year delay
Britain to abide by Istanbul convention but reserves key article and is accused of failing to protect migrant women. Full story: The Guardian.

Calling domestic violence ‘honour abuse’ could accidentally legitimise it, ministers warned
Labelling domestic violence as “honour abuse” could accidentally legitimise it, ministers have been warned. Full story: Care Appointments.

Family Justice Council publishes new interim guidance for cases involving allegations of alienating behaviours requiring the instruction of experts
The Family Justice Council has published interim guidance relating to the instruction and evidence-giving of experts in cases involving allegations of alienating behaviours. Full story: Family Law Week.

Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel publishes National Review into murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson
On 26 May 2022 the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel published its National Review into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson. Full story: Family Law Week.

Research: Family law market grows as number of firms falls
The family law market grew by 4.1% in 2021 and the rate of growth should increase in the coming years, but the number of law firms in the field is falling, a new report has found. Full story: Legal Futures.

CASES

MacDougall v SW & Ors (sperm donor : parental responsibility or contact) [2022] EWFC 50 (24 May 2022)
Hearing of 3 linked cases involving sperm donor biological father of children, concerning issues of parental responsibility and contact. Full report: Bailii.