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.
How far should a couple’s historic connections with a country influence where their divorce takes place? Two recent decisions have brought renewed uncertainty to an area of law that had appeared relatively settled. Michael Allum looks at the differing judicial approaches and considers what they mean for determining the appropriate forum in international divorce cases.
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.
South Asian Heritage Month provides a timely opportunity to reflect on how family law responds to the lived experiences of Britain's diverse communities. Nazia Rashid considers whether witnessed and documented non-legally binding religious ceremonies should become a qualifying factor in any future cohabitation regime, and what that might mean for the wider law reform debate.
There are two kinds of holiday readers: those who finally escape family law completely ... and those who somehow end up reading novels that make them think about mediation, parenting and relationships anyway. If you're in the second camp, this list is for you. Whether you're reading on a sun lounger, in the garden after work or with a coffee on an August afternoon, summer is the perfect time to pick up a novel that makes you think differently. Rebecca Hawkins selects four novels that stayed with her long after turning the final page.
This week, Elinor Harvey explores a challenge that many family law professionals quietly recognise: the difficulty of switching off after work. Drawing on her experience supporting legal professionals, Elinor explains why carrying the emotional weight of clients' problems beyond the working day is so common, and offers practical, realistic strategies for creating healthier boundaries. It's a thoughtful reminder that looking after your own wellbeing is not a luxury, but an essential part of sustaining a long and rewarding career.
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.
Welcome to the first instalment of our new advice column, where psychotherapist member Elinor Harvey answers your questions about the emotional realities of family justice practice. From managing difficult cases to maintaining resilience and professional boundaries, this series offers practical, compassionate guidance for the challenges that don't always feature in legal handbooks. In our first column, Elinor responds to a practitioner struggling with the emotional impact of a distressing case.
When a business owner says, "The business isn't really worth anything", is that always true? Through two real-life case studies, Richard Brady of The Valuation Team explores why business valuations in financial remedy cases are rarely straightforward, the warning signs practitioners should look for, and the value of independent expert evidence in reaching a fair outcome.