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Procedure – AI in court

May 2025 | Family

Practitioners will be interested to know that judicial guidance on the use of AI in court proceedings has been updated. It makes clear that it is for judges to advise litigants that they are responsible for AI-generated information presented in court, just as they are for any other types of evidence. The Courts and Tribunal …

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Procedure – interim orders; non-subject children

May 2025 | Family

This is an important but unusual case raising a novel point of legislative interpretation which appears not to have previously arisen, but with potentially significant consequence for families. Under ss37(1) CA 1989: ‘Where, in any family proceedings in which a question arises with respect to the welfare of any child, it appears to the court …

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Return Orders – habitual residence

May 2025 | Family

M successfully appealed a decision dismissing her application for the return of the parties’ younger daughter G (14) from the US. G and F travelled to the US in August 2024 as permitted by a consent order which allowed F to permanently relocate to the US with both the parties’ daughters. In the event, the …

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CA – boundary agreement

May 2025 | Land

The CA has heard an appeal concerned with whether a boundary agreement binds successors in title and whether, if it is capable of doing so, it only binds them if they have knowledge of the agreement. The case involved a dispute regarding a boundary agreement between two properties, Willow Cottage and The Old Stores. In …

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Purpose codes – a reminder

May 2025 | Professional

Just a reminder to firms that the CLC reported in 2024 on changes to payments systems designed to help tackle fraud. Purpose Codes are four letter codes which are carried across the payment chain, providing information to all users in the payments chain to indicate the reason a payment is being made. Firms are reminded …

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ICO – fine

May 2025 | Professional

The ICO has fined a firm £60,000 following a cyber-attack. What is interesting is that the firm in question specialises in law relating to crime, military, family fraud, sexual offences, and actions against the police. The ICO found that the firm had failed to put appropriate measures in place to ensure the security of personal …

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LSAG advisory – ID&V

May 2025 | Professional

The LSAG advisory note is required reading for all practitioners to whom the AML regime is relevant; note that it includes some very useful guidance on alternatives to face to face documentary verification. It states that: ‘Such methods may include (but are not limited to): Digital ID&V services that meet the requirements of the MLRs …

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SRA – SLAPPS

May 2025 | Professional

The SRA has taken the unusual step of publishing a statement as to why it did not take enforcement action against a firm that received a complaint involving concerns regarding solicitors becoming involved in abusive litigation aimed at silencing legitimate criticism – known as SLAPPs (strategic litigation against public participation). Firms should note the wider …

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VAT – reverse charge guidance

May 2025 | Tax – VAT

Most practitioners will not be advising their developer and builder clients on the details of VAT. However, practitioners should be aware of the principles of VAT and how they might impact on their client’s transactions to ensure that the client can be referred to an accountant or other professional. HMRC has issued guidance on the …

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