SRA pays out £9m to ‘most urgent’ PM Law transactions after receiving 250 applications to compensation fund
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has provided £9 million in compensation to clients of PM Law, which closed unexpectedly at the start of February. The money has been largely used to facilitate property transactions which have been delayed as a result of the closure of the Sheffield law firm and its 20-plus affiliate firms. The […]
Domestic abuse crisis ‘hiding in plain sight’ – Refuge
New data from Refuge shows that more than half of UK adults (57%) questioned by the charity acknowledge that the home is where women are most at risk of abuse, even though 85% believe most people feel safe in their own home. The figures suggest “a domestic abuse crisis happening in plain sight”, Refuge said. […]
Mother fabricated abuse claims, court finds in Hague Convention application
In F v M, a fact-finding hearing within an application by a father for access to his son under article 21 of the Hague Convention, the court found that the mother’s allegations of abuse against the father were not proved and that the mother had exaggerated and fabricated details to intentionally obstruct the child’s paternal […]
Government launches consultation on children’s digital wellbeing
The government has launched a public consultation on children’s digital wellbeing and is seeking feedback on measures to protect children on social media, gaming platforms and in the use of AI chatbots. The consultation, announced jointly by technology secretary Liz Kendall and education secretary Bridget Phillipson on Monday, covers platform features associated with children’s prolonged […]
Family lawyer questions effectiveness of domestic abuse legislation
The effectiveness of new government legislation meant to protect domestic abuse victims has been called into question by a family lawyer, who says the new orders are simply a “rehash” of previous legislation which police officers are not trained to use properly. Richard Port MBE, partner at mfg Solicitors with expertise in providing advise to […]
UK legal services sector grew by 6.1% last year, with family law worth £3.6bn
The UK legal services sector grew by 6.1% last year, according to the latest legal services market report from IRN Legal Reports. The total estimated value of the market last year was £55.5 billion, with family law accounting for £3.6 billion – the third largest sector. The largest segment in the consumer legal services market […]
Family Executive Team launches consultation on short notice application guidance
A consultation has been launched to gather feedback on the guidance for short notice applications in the family courts, published by the Family Executive Team (FET). The FET is consulting on five documents aimed at reducing the number of short notice applications, which have been drafted by the Short Notice Applications Working Group. Short notice […]
Referral scheme aims to put clients in touch with non-UK legal professionals
A new referral scheme aims to provide lawyers with access to vetted expertise in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The scheme – known as J-Law – has been launched by Judicare Law International, a UK-based, SRA-regulated law firm. The model is similar to that used by Connect2Law, the popular referral scheme launched by Simon […]
Court refuses application to return children to Türkiye after planned abduction
A High Court judge has denied a father’s application under the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 to return his children to Türkiye following their mother’s planned abduction, prioritising the welfare of the girls who are said to be “basking in the stability” of their UK home. Mr Justice Hayden, sitting in the Family Division […]
Without notice Part III applications must be rare and ‘exceptional’, Family Court reiterates
The Family Court has emphasised without notice Part III applications for leave should not be listed without notice “unless there is an exceptional reason”. The recap on procedure was included in the judgment of Mr Justice Peel, sitting in the Family Court at the Royal Courts of Justice, following an application under s13 of Part […]
Court of Appeal upholds finding that £38m trust was a sham
The Court of Appeal has endorsed the approach of the High Court to go beyond appearances when analysing finances and making financial remedy orders. In a decision handed down in December, the court heard the appeal of Mario Michael against a final financial remedy order made by the High Court on 1 July 2025, which […]
LawCare supported record numbers in 2025
In 2025, the legal sector mental health charity LawCare supported 753 people – more than any previous year, including during the pandemic. The charity’s online chat function – which is offered alongside a telephone helpline – also saw an increase in users, up 13% on the previous year. “The need for trusted, accessible and sector-specific […]
Family arbitration use doubles as court delays mount
Family arbitrations in England and Wales have doubled in the last two years, according to figures from the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators. In 2025 there were 178 arbitrations, up from 89 in 2023, with the option becoming more popular as the family court system continues to face significant resource pressures. The surge follows the […]
Litigants in person, AI and the changing dynamics of family proceedings
Litigants in person are increasingly using AI tools, online templates and digital communities when preparing for family court proceedings. McKenzie friend Gergely Fried draws on his practical experience of supporting self-represented parents to explore how these developments are affecting family practice and what they mean for lawyers and the future of access to justice. […]
Understanding trauma responses in family law – why behaviour isn’t always what it seems
Cognitive behaviour therapist Sonya Black explains how family lawyers can identify trauma responses and shares practical strategies to support clients who may be dealing with stress responses. As family lawyers, you are often the first professional point of contact for clients navigating separation and divorce. What many practitioners may not realise is that a […]
Stowe Family Law partners with Australian firm in first international deal
Stowe Family Law has completed an investment in Unified Lawyers (Unified), a specialist family law practice with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. This agreement marks the first investment outside the UK for the technology focused firm, which was founded in Yorkshire in 1984 and has expanded into a national platform with over 90 offices and more […]
Napthens strengthens family team with Islamic divorce expert
Shakeela Bi has joined Lancashire firm Napthens as legal director, where she will provide advice to the members of the Muslim community going through divorce. Recognised as an expert in Islamic divorces, Bi (pictured right) is one of only a small number of solicitors in the country able to provide advice to divorcing couples relating […]
A social media ban for children in the UK? The implications for children’s rights
The government has launched a consultation on social media use by children, with the options being explored including an outright ban. Baljinder Bath, family law barrister at 4PB, explores what this could mean for the digital rights of children, and explains why legislation may fail to protect families. Once hailed as the ultimate tool for […]
Fledgeling family law podcast looks beyond the job
A new podcast presented by two family law partners celebrates the importance of staying connected for wellbeing. According to its co-founders, Family Law Friends focuses “less on the letter of the law and more on the challenges and rewards of the job and how to strike a balance between work and home life.” Co-hosts and […]
Court of Appeal reiterates need for ‘anxious scrutiny’ in interim separation cases
The Court of Appeal has found that when refusing a local authority’s application for separation of an eight month old baby girl from her parents, the circuit judge had not undertaken the necessary “anxious scrutiny”. The decision in C (A child) (Interim Separation: Residential Care) [2025] EWCA Civ 1618 underscores the importance of balanced and […]