Author Archive for: Jessica Susan Hill

Entries by Jessica Susan Hill

A Release Date Is Not a Safety Plan: What the October 2026 Prison Reforms Mean for Victims

From 1 October 2026, some prisoners may become eligible for release earlier than victims expected. Domestic-abuse perpetrators have not been excluded as a category. This practical guide explains licence conditions, exclusion zones, child-arrangements applications and the steps victims can take now to protect themselves and their children.

Can You Qualify as a McKenzie Friend Online? What Fast-Track Courses Can—and Cannot—Do

There is no official fast-track qualification that turns someone into a McKenzie Friend, court advocate or regulated legal professional. This practical guide explains what a McKenzie Friend may do, the limits of online courses, the legal boundaries around advocacy and conducting litigation, and the checks prospective trainees and litigants should make before paying for support.

The Legal AI Trust Test: Seven Checks Before You Rely on ChatGPT or Any AI in Court

ChatGPT can help a litigant in person organise evidence and prepare clearer court documents—but it can also invent cases, distort facts and expose confidential material. JSH Law’s seven-point Legal AI Trust Test explains what to check before relying on any AI-generated answer in proceedings in England and Wales.

Florida Has Approved a Public Domestic Abuse Database. Should England and Wales Follow?

Volusia County has approved Florida’s first county-operated domestic abuse offender database. Could a similar public register save lives in England and Wales—or would it create dangerous false reassurance? Jessica Susan Hill examines Clare’s Law and the difference between publishing information and actively managing risk.

Family Law Technologists: Where AI Meets Evidence, Safeguarding and Justice. My Two Penneth.

Artificial intelligence could make legal help more affordable and accessible—particularly for litigants in person. But in family law, where cases involve children, domestic abuse, confidential evidence and safeguarding risk, accuracy and human judgment are essential. Jessica Susan Hill examines the “fine structure of justice” and the six principles that must govern responsible legal AI.

Family Court Legal Aid Crisis: Why the 340% Rise in Litigants in Person Seeking Protective Injunctions Matters

A new Justice Committee report reveals a 340% increase since 2012 in litigants in person seeking protective injunctions. Jessica Susan Hill examines what this tells us about family court legal aid, domestic abuse safeguarding and the reality of seeking court protection without a lawyer.