How the Family Section can help you
Join the Law Society Family Section to receive support that will keep you one step ahead of unprecedented change in the family courts, practice and procedure, in public and private law as well as family mediation.
Over the next year or so, family law practitioners will need to be prepared for:
- a new Practice Direction on the use of experts
- a huge rise in litigants in person after the withdrawal of legal aid
- the creation of the new single Family Court
- the introduction of child arrangement orders
- a stronger requirement on applicants to attend a MIAM
- a new Private Law Pathway
- tougher time limits on care proceedings
- reduced judicial scrutiny of care plans
- statutory presumption of shared parenting
- criminalisation of forced marriage.
As if that were not enough change, there are also the Law Commission proposals on matrimonial needs, property and agreements.
You can join in the debate, contribute your views, help shape policy, and receive updates on campaigns and consultations in addition to developing your skills through a range of training opportunities on offer to Family Section members. These include FREE webinars, exclusive networking events, specially developed training programmes that include Family Advocacy and discounted prices on the Law Society Family Law Conference, new to 2013.
How to join
Simply complete and return the membership form (PDF 44kb).
Get accredited, stay accredited
If you are accredited with the Law Society's children or family panels, or family mediation panel, and you join the Family Section, we will provide you with free access to four of your six compulsory annual CPD hours to ensure that you retain your valuable quality badge visit our accreditation page for more details.
If you are a member of a Law Society Accreditation Scheme, you can save 25 per cent off Family Section membership.
To join complete and return the membership form (PDF 252kb).
Other Law Society services
All of the above section benefits are in addition to the range of quality services that you can already access as a member of the Law Society, including:
For enquiries please email familysection@lawsociety.org.uk.