April 2026 has already seen significant developments in the family justice system, including a change in leadership and major reforms. The President has retired Sir Andrew McFarlane retired on 14 April 2026 as President of the Family Division, Head of Family Justice, and President of the Court of Protection, after eight… Continue reading
The Rt Hon Sir James Munby, the former president of the Family Division and of the Court of Protection, passed away on 01 January 2026, aged 77 years. His death marks the loss of an influential reformer in modern family justice. Sir James MunbyPhotos by Cambridge Law Faculty, licensed under CC… Continue reading
Take away lessons for social workers and CAFCASS officers involved in private law proceedings. This legal blog discusses the case of Re Hesketh (Contempt in the Face of the Court) [2025] that highlights how judges can respond to an aggressive and abusive parent in the family court. With more and more parents acting… Continue reading
This legal blog is part 1 of an exploration of a series of private children act case law, highlighting the complexities that can arise in private law proceedings. As a children’s social worker or as a Cafcass officer, have you ever been told this is an easy case, it is only… Continue reading
Feel free to download our guide on the differences as a PDF. You can view, or print at your convenience Continue reading
In training, the question has arisen from time to time as to whether a father who has been granted parental responsibility for a child and therefore has the legal right to make decisions for the child in conjunction with others who also have PR, can that right taken away? Legal… Continue reading
Read about the steps which have been introduced to safeguard judges, staff and panel members. The Family Court and Safety Measures Family judges or lawyers do not usually wear formal wigs or robes and in fact lawyers have not been required to wear wigs or wing collars since 2007. However,… Continue reading
Virtual Legal Seminars Series The President of the Family Division has expressed a need for a “radical reset,” that is, a change of culture to reduce delay and for proceedings to be issued only after all pre-proceedings steps have been explored. Understand what this means in practice by attending our first… Continue reading
The aim of the pilot is to introduce a presumption that legal bloggers and accredited media may report on what they see and hear during family court cases, subject to strict rules of anonymity. “Openness and confidentiality are not irreconcilable, and each is achievable. The aim is to enhance public… Continue reading
January 2024 There has been a longstanding call for greater transparency in the Family Court. Greater openness and public scrutiny enables an increase in the confidence in the Family Court and decisions made in family proceedings. Steps towards transparency. Since 2009 accredited reporters and more recently legal bloggers have been… Continue reading
