Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs) Explained: Emergency Police Protection

A Domestic Abuse Protection Notice, usually called a DAPN, is an emergency notice that police can issue to help protect someone who is experiencing domestic abuse or is at risk of further abuse. It can impose immediate restrictions on the alleged perpetrator, including preventing contact with the person at risk, preventing them from approaching a […]

Important information: Same-Sex Parents’ Rights – This guide explains general principles of family law in England and Wales. It is not legal advice for your individual circumstances. A small factual difference—such as whether treatment was provided through a licensed clinic, whether consent forms were signed, the status of a known donor, or whether a child […]

Financial Abuse: Key Takeaways Financial abuse (also called economic abuse) is a recognised form of domestic abuse under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 in England & Wales. It can amount to a criminal offence when linked with controlling or coercive behaviour. Family courts can take financial abuse into account in divorce proceedings, children cases, 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 […]

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 […]