Seminar provides updates on child law changes

Everys Solicitors held a law update seminar in Exeter to help fellow practitioners stay abreast of changes to laws involving children.

The event was held at Sandy Park, in conjunction with St John’s Chambers in Bristol, on the day Lord Justice Munby’s scathing attack on the recently imposed legal aid restrictions hit the news on BBC Radio 4.

The president of the Family Division was reacting to case in which a couple with learning difficulties were unable to apply for legal aid, in their fight to prevent the local authority from having their children adopted, as the father’s disposable monthly income was £34.64 over the limit when his means were assessed. Lord Justice Munby described the situation as “unprincipled and unconscionable”.

The legal aid changes, Child Arrangements Programme and other recent cases affected by Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 were detailed at the seminar.

Lindy Stephens, an Everys partner and senior practitioner in family and childcare law, said: “The seminar was very timely in that Lord Justice Munby’s comments were across the news and private child law had been thrust into the limelight. We hold these seminars to ensure we, and our fellow legal colleagues, are thoroughly up to date with any changes that may affect outcomes for our clients, some of whom are very vulnerable.”

More than 25 solicitors and barristers added the event which also covered updates on financial remedy.