In brief: Legal aid for divorce to be reassessed

The Lord Chancellor has been urged to reconsider his current legal aid proposals and introduce a limited certificate, based on civil legal aid eligibility, to give divorcing couples access to advice from their own solicitors throughout the mediation process. In its response to the Green Paper on legal aid, the Solicitors' Family Law Association (SFLA) proposes that solicitors would apply to have the certificate extended if a case went to court or if more extensive legal advice or arms-length negotiations were required. Lord Mackay will also speak at a conference on divorce reform and family mediation at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on 10 November. Speakers include Hilary Siddle, chair of the Law Society's family law committee and SFLA representatives.