News

Children living half a world away When people search for children living half a world away, they are usually dealing with the reality of children being separated from a parent after divorce or separation and, in some cases, living in another country because of relocation and legal disputes. It is deeply emotional for parents who […]

The Ministry of Justice has consulted on some of the most substantial proposed family law reforms to family financial law in recent decades. The consultation, A fairer end to relationships, considered how the law deals with finances when a marriage, civil partnership or cohabiting relationship ends, and when an unmarried partner dies without a will. […]

When a child cannot stay at home safely, a local authority in England may place them with a relative, friend or other person connected to the child under Regulation 24 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. This route allows an immediate placement with someone the child already knows, even though […]

Schools, councils, the Home Office and the family court regularly ask for proof of parental responsibility before they will accept decisions made on behalf of a child. Knowing which documents you need – and why – can save weeks of delay. This article sets out exactly what counts as proof of parental responsibility in England […]

The Caring Dads programme is a structured, child-centred intervention for fathers whose behaviour has harmed, or may have placed at risk, their children or the children’s mother. It is not a general parenting course, and it is not a route to automatic child contact. Its purpose is to help fathers understand the impact of abusive, […]

When a relationship breaks down and both parties feel strongly about who gets the dog and dog custody, emotions can run high. But in England and Wales, a dog custody case is not handled the same way as a dispute over children. Here is what UK law actually says, and how the small claims court […]

When communication with a former partner feels unsafe, overwhelming or likely to become unproductive, shuttle mediation may offer a more structured way to discuss children, finances or practical arrangements after separation. Instead of sitting together, each person remains in a separate room—either in person or online—while an independent mediator moves between them to help identify […]

Child inclusive mediation gives children and young people an opportunity, where appropriate, to share their views with a specially trained mediator. It does not mean that a child has to choose between their parents or take responsibility for the final arrangements. Instead, it is a structured and child-focused way for their perspective to be heard and […]

A trauma-informed approach in Family Court means recognising that trauma can affect the way a parent or child experiences proceedings, communicates under pressure, remembers difficult events and gives evidence. It does not alter the law, lower the standard of proof or mean that the court should accept one person’s account without testing it. It is […]

Online family mediation offers a way to explore agreement remotely, usually through secure video meetings, without either person needing to attend a mediation office. Separation can create difficult decisions about children, finances, property and communication. For many people, the prospect of sitting in the same room as a former partner can make those decisions feel […]

Family arbitration and family mediation are both forms of non-court dispute resolution. They can both provide a private, flexible route to resolving a family dispute. However, they are not interchangeable, and choosing the wrong process can result in unnecessary cost, delay and frustration. The essential difference is who retains responsibility for the final decision. In […]