2024 General Election

The possibility of a new Government and a raft of new MPs  meant it was a crucial time for Resolution, and its members, to raise and explain important issues in family justice with prospective candidates who, if elected, would serve as champions for Resolution in Parliament.

The campaign period preceding the general election on Thursday 4 July 2024 was the perfect opportunity to tell local parliamentary candidates about our Vision for Family Justice, and in particular our call for cohabitation reform.

In 2024, we used the resources we usually dedicate to Awareness Week to support the family justice profession in raising awareness of our Vision with electoral candidates ahead of the General Election and the newly elected or re-elected MPs, to let them know why the points we raise in our Vision are serious concerns for their electorate.

Resolution used this work in July to call for further reforms to the family justice system, to reflect the needs of modern families, and to ensure that more steps are taken to help separating families minimise conflict and reach lasting solutions, in particular focusing on the needs of children.

Grant Cameron, Chair of Resolution’s National Committee said: “It’s crucial that policymakers understand the value of Resolution’s voice, as we continue to shape the future of family justice, putting Cohabitation Reform, access to Early Legal Advice and the wellbeing of children, top of our agenda.”

We created an election toolkit to help members, get their voices heard. By using our toolkit, members were given a step-by-step guide allowing them to:

• Get in touch with and meet local candidates
• Attend local campaign events and debates
• Secure local media coverage
• Spread the word on social media

By backing our calls for action, candidates committed to advocate and support the following policies in the next Parliament:

• Cohabitation: The law relating to cohabiting partners on separation needs to be reformed.
• Helping families to find solutions: There should be more public funding for early legal information and advice.
• Protecting the vulnerable: More needs to be done to support and protect victims of domestic abuse in the family court, and ensure children are supported.
• Family courts: Preventing further closures of family courts.
• Making family law fit for purpose: Hearing the voice of the child in child arrangements proceedings and allocating more resource to the public children law system.

Resolution continues to work with members of parliament to understand that these recommendations are essential for improving the family justice system, reducing conflict, and providing necessary protection and support for separating couples and any children they may have.