The Law Commission is consulting on reform of the law governing kinship care in England and Wales. Safia Yousaf sets out the key proposals, including a new bespoke Kinship Care Order and kinship parental responsibility agreements, alongside possible reforms to existing arrangements. It considers parental responsibility, support, contact and assessment, and encourages Resolution members to respond before the consultation closes.
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.
This week's "Ask Elinor" column explores what happens when family lawyers’ empathy and commitment begin to blur professional boundaries. Using the Drama Triangle, Elinor explains how the urge to “rescue” clients can lead to exhaustion and resentment, and offers practical ways to set boundaries, manage client expectations and provide compassionate support without being constantly available.
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.