Most of us aren’t born with a powerful courtroom presence and a reputation for extracting crucial information in tense depositions. But we can learn.  Guest Tara-Jane Flynn has been called a “Princess Warrior” and “The Deposition Queen” for her tough, compelling courtroom manner. But the veteran California personal injury litigator says she started out as a shy girl too overwhelmed to give a classroom speech in school. She taught herself to be strong and to be the strength her clients need. She got involved in theater and public speaking. She guest hosted podcasts. And she developed a strong social media […]

In November 2024 the Civil Justice Council published the Phase Two Report of its review of the Pre-Action Protocols. This followed the Phase One report, which was published in August 2023. While the first report dealt with the Practice Direction on Pre-action Conduct (PDPAC) and the second report dealt with the specific protocols (including those dealing with personal injury and debt claims), the completion of the CJC’s review presents a useful opportunity to take stock of the pre-action landscape and consider its place in civil litigation. Litigation as a measure of last resort The importance of pre-action conduct in civil […]

January is often referred to as “Divorce Month” by family law professionals, as it consistently sees a noticeable spike in divorce filings and inquiries. The Ministry of Justice’s Family Court Statistics has revealed that in the UK there was a 60% increase in new divorce applications being made in January compared to December last year. Divorce is a complex and profoundly emotional process that affects not just the couple involved but also their children. While the focus often remains on the emotional and financial implications for the divorcing spouses, the impact on children can be equally, if not more, significant. […]

Law firm Shoosmiths has just released its 2nd annual litigation report, based on the responses of 360 senior in-house lawyers and general counsel within major UK businesses with a turnover of £100m+ and including the tech, telecoms, automotive, real estate and financial services sectors. The average cost of a major dispute in the UK is now over £600,000 — and costs and reputation are bigger considerations than the merits of a case when deciding whether to bring a claim, according to this report, entitled “Litigation Risk 2025: Balancing today’s disputes with tomorrow’s risks”. Given the growing risks to reputation, especially with the […]

On 23 April 2024 the FCA published its final guidance on the new anti-greenwashing rule (AGR), which is due to come into force on 31 May 2024.  This followed publication of draft guidance in November 2023, the consultation on which closed in January 2024.  As discussed in one of our previous articles, a number of industry responses to that consultation highlighted areas of ambiguity in the draft guidance, leaving firms concerned about regulatory and/or litigation risk arising, and seeking clarification from the FCA. While the final guidance has gone some way to addressing those, in its feedback statement the FCA […]

Kaur: Sought to instruct several law firms The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has urged law firms to protect themselves from sham litigation, which can be used to bypass anti-money laundering rules. In new guidance issued this week, the regulator highlighted a recent case where a serial fraudster tried to instruct multiple law firms in a bogus dispute. Sham litigation involves criminals or their associates orchestrating fake disputes and instructing lawyers to pursue a claim whose outcome – whether a judgment or settlement – serves as a front to transfer illicit funds or assets. As litigation is not an activity within […]

Thinking divorce? Knowledge is power. When you know what to expect before, during, and after divorce, you can better prepare for your future.  But divorce is an emotional and stressful experience. Equip yourself now with the information you need to make informed decisions – rather than emotional ones – to secure the financial and emotional well-being of your family after your divorce is complete. I’m thinking divorce. Where do I start? 1. Make a Checklist Run a credit report. This is the baseline for assessing your current financial situation and how you will move ahead on your own. Develop a budget to […]

Divorce is a stressful time, and with the first Monday of January often seeing a spike in divorce enquiries, many couples are now turning their attention to the financial side of separation.  While no-fault divorce, introduced in 2022, allows couples to divorce without attributing blame, you’ll still need to sort your financial affairs. These can include property, pensions, savings, and investments. However, experts have warned rising living costs and high mortgage rates could make dividing financial assets all the more complicated. Here, Which? explains how finances are typically split and highlights four key areas to address if you’re filing for […]

On 8 January 2025 the Department for Education issued a Statement ahead of the subsequently successful further reading of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Within that Statement they note proposed key benefits, stating: “Major reforms to protect thousands of vulnerable children hidden from sight will take another crucial step forward today, as the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is debated in Parliament (8 January 2025). Children not in school registers, stronger powers for councils to make sure children are getting the right education, and a unique identifying number for every child are part of major reforms to help tackle […]

Want to know how to win at divorce? It’s the small wins. When I think about celebrating small wins, it reminds me of a story from a client who we’ll call Mary. Mary was navigating her divorce with the weight of the world on her shoulders, feeling overwhelmed by the unknown. She wasn’t sure where to start, and every day felt like one more step on a never-ending uphill climb. Like many, she was stuck in the idea that her life wouldn’t be okay until all the pieces fell perfectly into place. But here’s the thing: waiting for that perfect “big […]

‘No fault’ divorce has made splitting up simpler and speedier since it was introduced a few years ago. Couples can get divorced within six months of first applying and the process is largely online. However, financial settlements are still dealt with in a separate and parallel process, which can continue long after the divorce is final. The New Year is often when couples get divorce proceedings under way, after spending an unhappy festive season together. However, one lawyer tells us it is ‘a complete fallacy’ that January is the busiest time for divorce. ‘While there is a slight uptick in […]

Top Gear great Richard Hammond recently announced his separation from wife Amanda – also known as “Mindy” – after she allegedly declared she “wanted him gone”. It is thought that she would like to keep their luxury Herefordshire estate, known as Bollitree Castle, as part of the divorce settlement. A source published in The Sun claimed that it was Mindy’s request that Richard should move out, and that his attempts to revive their relationship failed. They claimed: “Richard is very upset about all this. It seems he has tried hard to rekindle the relationship but to no avail. There is […]

My Two Cents Personal-finance columnist Charlotte Cowles asks the nosy, revealing, sometimes uncomfortable questions about money so you don’t have to. In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a decades-old federal law against sports betting, ushering in a flood of betting platforms and apps that are now legal in most states and advertised heavily nationwide. Plenty of people are happy about this: Supportive lawmakers argue that gambling happens no matter what, and legalizing online betting enables them to regulate it and capture extra tax revenue. Meanwhile, the sports industry has raked in extra cash as leagues, teams, players, and networks […]

Jennifer Lopez will keep her diamond engagement ring in her divorce settlement with Ben Affleck. Affleck, 52, proposed to Lopez, 53, with an 8.5-carat green diamond engagement ring after they rekindled their romance in 2021. They married in an intimate Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022 and celebrated their nuptials with a ceremony in Georgia in front of friends and family the next month. In August 2024, Lopez filed for a dissolution of marriage. Nearly five months later, on Monday, Jan. 6, they finalized their divorce, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. Per the divorce documents, Affleck “disclaims and […]

The first working Monday of the year has often been dubbed by the media as “Divorce Day” and January as ‘Divorce Month’ – the time of year when couples are most likely to split up. Insider looks at the current divorce laws, and what couples should consider before entering the process. What is the law surrounding divorce? Couples can divorce in England and Wales if they have been married for over a year; the relationship has permanently broken down; and the marriage is legally recognised in the UK. What is legal separation?  Couples have the option to legally separate, which […]

Welcome to the first Monday of January, AKA ‘Divorce Day’, when law firms see a spike in enquiries from fed-up folks driven to the brink by festive disharmony. And, according to ONS figures, 41 per cent of couples divorce before their 25th wedding anniversary. If you’re keen to ‘futureproof’ your relationship, these are the six questions couples therapist Natasha Silverman says you must discuss with your partner. Are we happy with our sex life? Work stress, family strife, hormonal changes and boredom can create a chasm between the sex you dream of and the sex you’re having – or not […]

THE first Monday of the year when we return to work has been dubbed Divorce Day. It is reportedly the day when law firms see a significant spike in couples seeking advice or filing for divorce. A divorce lawyer explained why January is a popular time of year to file for divorce Divorce lawyer Rachel Clarion, of Clarion Solicitors, spoke exclusively to Fabulous about the phenonemon and how to have a “good” divorce. She pointed out recent research from the Ministry of Justice showing September having overtaken January as the most popular month to file for a divorce. However, the […]

Angelina Jolie is closing a chapter of her life and walking away $80 million richer after divorce finalisation from Brad Pitt. According to Daily Mail, despite the prenuptial agreement they had in place, Jolie’s post-divorce finances have seen a major boost, with assets tied directly to the split, including the sale of part of their Château Miraval estate, though the ‘War of the Rose’ is still on. Famed actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie signed off on a divorce settlement on December 30, 2024, according to People Magazine, marking a turning point in the eight-year legal saga. Angelina Jolie and […]