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The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo attended the inaugural session of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Seminar focused on navigating contemporary issues in family law practice. The seminar addressed the significant impact of scientific advancements and shifting socio-political contexts and norms on families, which remain the cornerstone of societal organization.
President Odhiambo emphasized the necessity for family law to evolve in response to these emerging issues, ensuring that they are addressed adequately and efficiently while appreciating the dynamic expansion of human rights within the changing social setup.
“Families are the bedrock of our society, and the legal challenges they face today are more complex than ever. Our legal practice must adapt to these changes to protect the integrity of family units and the rights of individuals within them,” said Odhiambo.
The seminar highlighted several critical areas requiring attention within family law practice:
Protection of Vulnerable Family Members: Emphasizing the need to safeguard those at risk within family structures.Rising Rate of Cohabitation: Addressing legal protections and challenges for non-marital cohabitation arrangements.Effect of Increased Free Will on Divorce: Understanding how greater individual autonomy influences divorce rates and proceedings.Cross-Gender Economic Empowerment: Considering how economic empowerment across genders affects disputes over matrimonial property.Prevalence of Same-Sex Relationships: Recognizing and addressing the legal issues surrounding same-sex relationships.Scientific Methods in Childbirth: Navigating the legal ramifications of advanced reproductive technologies.
“These issues were not as prominent in past decades, which makes our task more challenging yet more necessary,” Odhiambo noted. “Collaborative approaches that embrace open thinking and free discourse are essential to determine the best practices for the family institution while upholding individual rights.”
The seminar underscored the importance of maintaining a legal profession that is fit for purpose amid evolving societal circumstances. The LSK aims to equip family law practitioners to handle the changing landscape of family dynamics and associated legal complexities.
“The contemporary issues emerging in family law have a ripple effect on our social threading. It is crucial that we, as practitioners, keep pace with these changes to safeguard the integrity of family structures and the rights of individuals within them,” said Odhiambo.
The CPD Seminar will continue to explore these topics through a series of sessions, engaging legal experts, scholars, and practitioners in discussions aimed at finding balanced and effective legal solutions for modern family law challenges.
The initiative by the Law Society of Kenya marks a significant step towards a more responsive and inclusive legal system that acknowledges and adapts to the evolving nature of family in contemporary society.
