The value of the family law market in 2023 increased by 5.4% to pass £2bn for the first time. The growth was driven by advice for high net worth individuals, complex cases especially Children Act cases, and increased demand for advice on financial issues after a divorce; in large part attributable for the spike in divorce cases in 2022 following the introduction of The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act (2020) in April 2022.
Divorce petitions filed saw a 7.5% decrease in 2023, following a general decline over the last decade, save for the anomaly of 2022, with 95% of divorce petitions filed digitally. Most other categories of family law cases witnessed declines in cases started in 2023. The main exception was financial remedy cases where cases started increased by 13.2%.
The data comes from the latest IRN Legal report which charts the progress of the family law sector through a comprehensive market report. Now in its 10th year, the report provides opportunities for family law firms and professionals to understand the trends and current affairs in the family law community.
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Today’s Family Lawyer has teamed up with IRN Legal to provide the report to readers for a discounted rate of £170 (RRP: £220). To claim your discounted report simply click on the link below which takes you to the order page.
UK Family Law Market Report 2024 – claim your discounted rate*
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Family Law Market Insights
Other insights in the report include
- Larger consumer and specialist family law brands are taking a greater share of the market through M&A and office network expansion.
- Cross border matters continue to show healthy growth.
- Growing out of court dispute resolution will see the need for new training for many legal advisers
- Growing demand is expected around pre-nuptial agreements, one lawyer one couple services, and advice post-divorce and financial settlements such as co-parenting advice, counselling, and wellbeing services.
