Read our latest coverage and comment
Survivors of domestic abuse and the Family Justice System
Earlier this year, King’s Legal Clinic invited Jenny Beck KC (Hon) to speak at a panel event alongside Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, and Mandip Ghai, Senior Legal Officer at Rights of Women, to discuss survivors of domestic abuse and their journeys through the Family Justice System. Here, Jenny explores some of the points touched upon, in more detail.
Are Menopausal Wives Short-Changed on Divorce?
The original Family Law Menopause Project survey revealed that practitioners acknowledge and accept that there is a lack of understanding of menopause in the area of family law. It revealed that 81% of family lawyers are failing to understand or recognise the impact of menopause and…
Beck Fitzgerald ushers in a new era: Welcoming Molly Ashcroft & Rebecca Pantelli as shareholding directors
Beck Fitzgerald is delighted to announce that Molly Ashcroft and Rebecca Pantelli have become shareholding directors in the company. Their appointment represents the beginning of an exciting new phase for our growing firm. It coincides with Susan Fitzgerald’s planned...
Family Justice Council Publishes Key Guidance on Neurodiversity
Family Justice Council Publishes Key Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System Today, the Family Justice Council has published essential new guidance for practitioners on neurodiversity within the Family Justice System. This marks a significant turning...
Resolution podcast, reluctance, resistance and refusal
Listen to the latest Resolution podcast featuring Jenny, Jaime Craig, and Zoe Fleetwood as they explore the complex dynamics of children who exhibit reluctance, resistance, or refusal to spend time with a parent during separation, along with the issue of parental...
New guidance around alienating behaviours a significant step forward
New guidance from the Family Justice Council represents a significant step forward when dealing with cases involving allegations of ‘alienating behaviour’. I am pleased to have contributed to this important workstream alongside my respected colleagues on FJC. The...
Sir Andrew MacFarlane congratulates FLANC on innovation award
“Described by Sir Andrew MacFarlane as ‘one of those ideas which is so good you wonder why we hadn’t thought of it sooner’ FLANC has picked up its second award in as many months. Family Advice for the Neurodivergent Community (FLANC) was awarded the Family Law...
Farhana Shahzady joins as consultant solicitor
Beck Fitzgerald is delighted to announce that Farhana Shahzady has joined the firm as a consultant solicitor. Farhana is an exceptional family lawyer and mediator. Farhana is a national expert on the thorny and contemporary issue of spousal maintenance, upon which she...
FLANC wins Resolution innovation award
We are thrilled to announce that Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community (FLANC) has won the Innovation Champion Award at the esteemed Resolution Awards 2024. This award celebrates FLANC’s pioneering efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible...
Remembering Jess
It is with heartfelt sadness that we share the news of the loss of our dear colleague and friend Jessica Aviss. Jess was a wonderful colleague, a caring and compassionate solicitor and a true friend. We will miss her desperately. Jessica’s funeral will take place on...
Family Lawyers join forces to support neurodivergent community
Family lawyers from different firms and chambers have joined forces to set up a specialist group dedicated to ensuring the neurodivergent community has equal access to justice. FLANC (Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community) has been spearheaded by Duncan...
Beck Fitzgerald team news
We are delighted to announce that we have invited Molly Ashcroft and Rebecca Pantelli to become Directors of Beck Fitzgerald with immediate effect. Both Molly and Rebecca have made an enormous contribution to the smooth running of our growing team and will continue to...
Reluctance, resistance, and refusal – let’s lose the pseudo-science.
Taking a constructive and collaborative approach to problem solving in an area which is complex is always a challenge. The polarising debates surrounding the complex area of alienating behaviours are particularly difficult to navigate because they have become...
Current legal aid regime puts victims at risk
Punched in the face. Strangled. Stalked. Expected to always cook homemade meals. Kicked in front of the children. Over the threshold to qualify for legal aid to protect herself. Had to make an ex parte order on her own (her furious husband turned up at her house the...
Jenny Beck new Chair of Nuffield Family Justice Observatory board
Nuffield Foundation has appointed Jenny Beck as Chair of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory’s board. Jenny Beck is a family lawyer, founding partner and Director of Beck Fitzgerald, committed to accessible and fair justice and the rights of the individual. Jenny...
Domestic abuse awareness…much to be done
Two days ago, we saw the announcement that, under Jade’s law, parental responsibility will now be automatically suspended for parents who have been sentenced for killing someone they shared parental responsibility with. We welcome this announcement and what it...
Transgender and the Family Courts
More than 250,000 people in England and Wales identify as transgender, according to the Census 2021 data which gave us the first true picture of gender identity in Britain. Awareness of transgender issues in the Family Court is gradually increasing however the law of...
Mediation – how can it help you?
We are using this opportunity to shine a light on mediation and how it can help resolve financial disputes or arrangements for children in a cooperative and non-adversarial manner. What is Mediation? Family mediation is a voluntary process in which a professionally...