header-logo header-logo

11 March 2020
Issue: 7878 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-detail

National helpline for court users

A charity has launched a helpline for people without access to lawyers in the family and civil courts

Support Through Court, previously known as the Personal Support Unit, has more than 750 volunteers and operates from 20 courts across England and Wales. Its launch, this week, follows a four-month pilot of the helpline scheme last year, where volunteers fielded more than 3,000 calls about housing, money claims, divorce and child arrangements.

The helpline, 0300 081 0006, will run Monday to Friday, 09.30-16.30 from premises granted by Birmingham City University.

CEO Eileen Pereira said: Support Through Court are present in only 10% of courts across England and Wales, and so the Helpline will go far in contributing directly to empowering more people who have to navigate the complex and stressful court system on their own.’

Issue: 7878 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll