Blogs

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.

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.

The proposed cohabitation reforms represent a significant step towards a fairer and more coherent system for separating families. However, without integrating Schedule 1 and TOLATA claims, key gaps and inconsistencies may remain. Anna Roiser examines where the proposals could create uncertainty and argues for a truly unified framework for resolving financial disputes arising from family relationships.

Proposals to restrict young people's access to social media raise important practical questions for separated parents. When children move between two homes, consistency can be difficult to achieve and disagreements can easily arise. Denise Ingamells examines how parents can use NCDR processes to reach practical agreements and maintain effective co-parenting relationships.

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.