Family lawyers are professional problem-solvers, but is telling clients what they need to know always the best approach? Jacinta Gallant explores the power of asking rather than telling. She considers how curiosity, careful listening and noticing defensive behaviour can help practitioners understand what really matters to clients – and recognise when it might be time to stop talking and start asking.
Coercive control can have a significant impact on financial remedy proceedings, affecting finances, evidence and a client’s ability to engage effectively in the process. Georgina Pearson explores how practitioners can recognise and evidence patterns of coercive and economic abuse, take a trauma-informed approach, and consider how financial orders can be drafted to minimise opportunities for ongoing control and further dispute.
A trauma-informed approach to family law does not mean stepping outside the lawyer’s role. Emily-Jo Moore considers the small, practical changes practitioners can make to reduce unnecessary distress and better support clients, from thoughtful communication and checking special measures are in place to recognising the value of wider support and listening carefully to what individual clients need.
In this second blog from McKenzie Friend Gergely Fried, he continues to explore the gap between what parents think is happening in the family justice process and what is actually taking place. Building on his previous post, Advice Is not orientation, he looks at one of the most common misunderstandings in Cafcass safeguarding letters and section 7 reports, explaining how a better understanding of their structure can help parents engage more calmly and constructively with proceedings.
Handling domestic abuse matters for the first time can feel daunting. Solicitor apprentice Molly Walton shares practical lessons on listening, safeguarding, recognising the impact of trauma and building confidence, alongside a reminder that empathy is just as important as legal knowledge.
Many parents enter family court proceedings with information they have found online, but not always the understanding they need to navigate the process confidently. Writing from the perspective of a professional McKenzie Friend, Gergely Fried explores the important distinction between legal advice and "orientation" – helping families understand where they are in the process, what to expect next and how early guidance can reduce confusion, conflict and costly mistakes.
Advances in fertility treatment have made posthumous conception increasingly possible, but the law remains firmly centred on one principle: consent. Brittany Rodwell explores the legal framework governing the use of gametes and embryos after death, the practical implications for intended parents, and the key cases shaping this complex and evolving area of family law.
A summer holiday can offer rest, connection and precious family memories, but it can also shine a light on relationship dynamics that have been hidden by the routines of everyday life. Jennie Sutton, divorce coach, reflects on what holidays can reveal about a relationship and why moments of clarity can create opportunities for honest conversations and positive change.
Whether you're a trainee, newly qualified solicitor or simply looking to strengthen your child-focused practice, Parenting Through Separation offers practical insights to support your work. From understanding children's experiences of separation to navigating difficult conversations with parents, the guide can help you develop the confidence and skills needed to better support families
"Family law is uniquely human. We advise people during the most vulnerable and emotionally complex periods of their lives. To do that effectively, the profession benefits from lawyers who bring varied life experiences, perspectives and different forms of emotional intelligence to the table." Social mobility transformed Yanoulla Kakoulli’s career. In this personal blog, she reflects on the role of scholarships, mentoring and opportunity in opening doors to the legal profession, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and why family law benefits from practitioners with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.