Jo Edwards appears on BBC Breakfast to discuss the government’s announcement of an early legal advice pilot for separating parents

Head of Family, Jo Edwards joined Rachel Burden and Charlie Stayt on the BBC Breakfast sofa on Saturday 27 January to explain the significance for separating parents of the government’s announcement of a new early legal advice pilot from this summer.

On Friday 26 January the Ministry of Justice published its response to the “Supporting Early Resolution” consultation, launched last year. The response included the announcement of a pilot scheme to fund the provision of early legal advice for parents and that the government will no longer be proceeding with plans to make family mediation compulsory for separating couples.

Jo welcomed the announcement, as early legal advice can help separating parents understand what their rights and responsibilities are, as well as signpost to all forms of non-court dispute resolution – not just mediation. The government also took on board the consultation feedback, including Jo’s oral evidence to the Justice Select Committee, and dropped proposals to compel couples into family mediation. Whilst mediation can be extremely effective, it’s not appropriate for all couples and works best when entered into voluntarily.

At the heart of the announcement is the protection of children’s wellbeing by avoiding, where possible, lengthy acrimonious court proceedings. The most vulnerable also deserve proper court time and swifter justice.  Jo therefore calls for the announcement to coincide with more resources for family courts that currently face significant delays.

For more information about mediation at Forsters, click here.

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Industry reaction to Gove’s housing plan – Victoria Du Croz speaks to the Press

Partner and Head of Planning, Victoria Du Croz, has been quoted in numerous broadsheet and industry publications this week on the government’s response to the recent local elections.

Du Croz says that: “The Government and DLUHC appear to be having a knee jerk reaction to the results of last week’s local elections and the impending General Election in 2024, essentially seeking to demonstrate that action has been taken to deliver on housing and development in the current parliamentary term.

“A focus on inner cities makes sense, given the Conservative’s aversion to delivering development on the green belt, but the reality of bringing more homes to the cities will mean building high in order to reach the necessary density.

“Neither brownfield sites nor conversions of office to residential buildings have delivered the number of new homes that are needed across the country to date. Re-focusing on these planning mechanisms, by expanding permitted development rights to shop and commercial conversions, is unlikely to boost housing numbers to the levels that are needed.

“[Monday 24th July’s] announcement failed to recognise the vital importance of a cohesive vision for our towns and cities, that housing is just one element of growing the economy and supporting people. Housing is needed alongside job creation, space for warehousing and a retail and leisure strategy.”

A list of the publications featuring Du Croz’s comments is featured below:

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Simon Blain to speak at the International Trusts and Private Client conference in Jersey and Guernsey

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Family Partner, Simon Blain, has been invited to speak at this year’s International Trusts and Private Client conference in Jersey and Guernsey, hosted by Informa Connect.

The conference is an indispensable resource for the private client advisor, offering expert insight from industry-renowned speakers and sessions tailored to tackle the estate and tax planning issues facing the Channel Islands.

Simon will be speaking at a panel discussion entitled ‘Trustees in the face of divorce’ alongside Jessica Henson of Payne Hicks Beach, Gilead Cooper QC of Wilberforce Chambers and Mark Harper of Hughes Fowler Carruthers.

The full agenda and guidance on how to sign up, can be found here.

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