1 in 3 say monogamy no longer a ‘realistic’ ideal
Two in five people believe pre-nuptials should be part of standard marriage contracts, while one in three believe monogamy is no longer a ‘realistic’ ideal in modern relationships. The proportions increase in younger adults where those between the ages of 25-34 (59%) were twice as likely to think prenups should come as standard as those […]
Reasserting the Legal Test for Intermediaries in Family Proceedings: M (A Child – Intermediaries) [2025] EWCA Civ 440
In M (A Child: Intermediaries) [2025] EWCA Civ 440, the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the governing legal test for appointing intermediaries in family proceedings. It allowed an appeal against a judge’s refusal to direct intermediary support for a neurodivergent mother, emphasising that the correct threshold under Part 3A of the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR […]
How to navigate prenup season as a family lawyer
For most, the summer brings wedding season but for family lawyers, less romantically, it is very much Prenup Season. Over the past few years, we have got into a rhythm in April and May of drawing up prenuptial agreements (PNA) ahead of impending summer nuptials. Clients range from first marriages where one or both parties […]
Narcissism, non-disclosure and financial ruin – A cautionary tale from the Family Court
In one of the most scathing judgments I have been involved in, in recent years, Deputy District Judge Michael Horton KC laid bare the catastrophic impact of narcissistic and self-destructive behaviour in financial remedy proceedings. The case of NR v SE, in which I represented the Applicant, was not simply a battle over money, but […]
In the age of AI and rising costs, NALP says paralegals are more relevant than ever
Today’s Media spoke to Amanda Hamilton, director and patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), about the evolving role of the paralegal and NALP’s role in the profession’s voluntary self-regulation. A recent survey measuring public perception of AI in the legal sector found that the public isn’t yet ready to fully trust the technology in […]
Understanding gaslighting and narcissistic behaviour
In this powerful episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie welcomes Shoba Aziz, an experienced barrister at Great James St Chambers, for an important conversation exploring the psychological dimensions of domestic abuse—specifically narcissistic behaviour and gaslighting. Drawing on over 20 years in legal practice, Shoba shares her deep expertise in private child and family law, especially […]
Family justice provides ‘poor value for taxpayers’ says CILEX
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has thrown its weight behind criticism of the family courts system describing it as inefficient and “poor value for money for taxpayers” in its response to the Public Accounts Committee consultation. The call for evidence closed earlier this week with CILEX calling for urgent improvements to protect children […]
The Silent Witness
Covert recordings in Children Law Proceedings: A summary of the Family Justice Council’s guidance on their use in proceedings What do you advise your client when they ask if they can record the other parent’s calls or meetings? Many clients arrive for their initial consultation already armed with extensive undercover recordings of the other parent. […]
Predatory marriages: Why legislative proposals are a welcome first step
Predatory marriages have hit the headlines in recent years, with growing concern that wealthy, elderly people are being romantically targeted for their money. These marriages often go unnoticed until after death, when a shocked family discovers that the estate has passed to the new spouse. While such cases may sound sensational, they are far from […]
LAA cyber attack “devastating” on legal aid firms
The cyber attack at the Legal Aid Agency which has taken down many of its system has had a ‘devastating’ effect on the sector, particularly for legal aid firms who simply don’t have the cash flow or reserves to cover salaries and overheads for an extended period. The comment come from Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner […]
Enhancing domestic abuse screening in family mediation
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie is joined by Mike Mack, CEO of the Family Mediation Trust, and Lorraine Bramwell, a seasoned family mediator and trainer, to discuss the creation of a new Domestic Abuse Screening Tool. The initiative is a collaboration between the Family Mediation Trust and the […]
A guide to creating content for AI discovery and retrieval
The rules of internet-based marketing are currently transforming in a way we haven’t seen for almost 20 years. Creating your content marketing in a format and style similar to the one you have been using for the last decade may mean your law firm’s website will not be discovered and retrieved by AI Overviews and […]
Navigating mental health in family law
The impact on mental health for all involved in family law cannot be ignored: Litigants’ lives are invaded in the most fundamental manner by the State; mental health is weakened in all but a few cases. The long-term mental health of children who are the subject of court proceedings is significantly worsened by those proceedings. […]
How could Law Commission’s Wills reforms impact family law?
The Law Commission has published its latest report on Wills and Private Client reforms. This isn’t the first time the Commission have tackled this field, the first time being in 2017 which resulted in a Consultation Paper. Now, not much off a decade later, their latest report and draft Bill have been laid before Parliament […]
The power of civility: Why amicable correspondence between family lawyers matters
It is timely that I am writing this during mental health awareness week, and against the background of having attended two seminars this week by top set Chambers, where the speakers, including a sitting Judge, discussed the importance of being respectful to your contemporaries. In the emotionally charged realm of family law, where clients are […]
Providing family legal services for the changing nature of modern relationships
In this latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie welcomes Laura Tanguay and Lucy Birch from Birketts LLP to discuss the launch of their Modern Families service. Lucy Birch is a senior associate in the family team, and Laura Tanguay is a legal director in the property disputes team; with the podcast exploring how […]
The case for a trauma-informed approach to family law
Too often, divorce is approached as a legal or logistical battle, without adequately accounting for the emotional weight that sits behind every meeting, every phone call, and every decision. The focus in the family court system tends to be on resolution – who gets what, who lives where, how finances are split. But by focussing […]
Chartered lawyer adds ‘another layer of confusion and complexity’ – Law Society hit back
The Law Society of England and Wales has hit back at the introduction of a ‘CILEX Chartered Paralegal’ as part of amendments to CILEX’s Royal Charter which provides formal recognition for CILEX paralegals. The Law Society has described the change as adding ‘another layer of confusion and complexity for consumers’ and fundamentally disagrees with the […]
Pets in Separation: Property or Family?
In the eyes of the law, pets are currently classified as chattels, which is a legal term meaning personal property. This definition groups pets with inanimate items like furniture or vehicles. While such a classification may be appropriate for objects, it sits uneasily with many pet owners who view their animals as cherished members of […]
The amicable story
Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie welcomes Kate Daly, co-founder of amicable to discuss the evolution of the business since it launched in 2015; to a point where it now is one of the largest providers of family law services in the UK by virtue of the number of consent orders it submits annually. […]