family law reform

As family law practitioners it is not lost on us that we tend to focus more on marriage breakdown...

Government commits to 6th April for introduction of Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act

Resolution’s 6,500 members are family lawyers, mediators and other family justice professionals, committed to a non-adversarial approach to family law and the resolution of family disputes.

Resolution members abide by a Code of Practice which emphasises a constructive and collaborative approach to family problems and encourages solutions that take into account the needs of the whole family, particularly the best interests of any children.

We also campaign for better laws and better support and facilities for families and children undergoing family change.

Juliet Harvey was quoted in City AM this week, commenting on the launch of a new campaigning organisation by Conservative MP Danny Kruger, who in an accompanying blog post suggested that the latest divorce reforms undermined the institution of marriage.

The Family Justice Board has set out its priorities for the next two years, aiming to address the long-term challenges faced across the system. But immediate concerns may intervene…

Draft changes to the Family Procedure Rules arising from planned implementation of the Divorce, D...

In his column for The Review, Colin Jones looks back at the path to victory for the Divorce, Diss...

No-fault divorce given go-ahead as the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill clears final stages of parliamentary scrutiny.

MPs vote overwhelmingly for no-fault divorce

In response to misconceptions about no-fault divorce legislation, Resolution has today published an open letter as the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill is debated by MPs.

MP's will shortly be voting on the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill which will finally introduce no-fault divorce into law.

With Covid-19 shifting cases overnight to digital-only, there is an urgent need to consider trans...

Resolution has briefed members of the House of Lords ahead of the Committee Stage of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, which would make no-fault divorce a reality.

In the first policy briefing of 2020, we update members on the campaign to finally secure no-faul...

Former National Chair Nigel Shepherd comments on the reintroduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill into Parliament.

Today's (19th Dec) Queen's Speech announced the re-introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, and the Domestic Abuse Bill.

In this article from The Review Edward Cooke analyses the activity of the private children law wo...

Resolution's former Chair, Nigel Shepherd, was recognised for his outstanding contribution at the Family Law Awards held in London last night (27 November).

Resolution has now launched our Fairness for Families manifesto and members are encouraged to get involved on a local level.

Ahead of the 2019 General Election, Resolution launched our Fairness for Families manifesto. This was part of our ongoing work to support members to persuade Parliamentarians from all parties to support family law reform.

Resolution has today written to political party leaders, urging them to prioritise much-needed family justice reforms in their election manifestos.

We've compiled all Resolution's policy work from the last three months into this digest, which al...

The Justice Select Committee has published its report into court and tribunal reforms. The report draws on evidence given by Resolution and others, and finds that the modernisation programme could leave vulnerable people unable to get the legal advice or decisions they need.

Due to the general election, Resolution's Lobby Day has been cancelled.

Lady Hale’s speech on “What is a 21st century family” is a must read for any family practitioner....

Responding to the Supreme Court judgment on the prorogation of Parliament, Margaret Heathcote said: “With today’s Supreme Court judgment, the prorogation of Parliament has been ruled null and void....

Jo Edwards, Chair of the Family Law Reform Group, responds to David Gauke's tweet about the Divorce Bill being dropped.

This one day event will provide a comprehensive update on emergent issues in child and family law.

Share your views and support our response to the Family Procedure Rules Committee (FPRC) on the functioning of the current costs regime in financial remedy cases.

Written before last week's events, today Resolution received a letter from Lucy Frazer, on behalf of the Family Justice Minister Wendy Morton, demonstrating the impact our work had on getting the Divorce Bill published.

The Family Law Reform Group is made up of National Committee members to monitor and oversee out campaigning and policy priorities.

Last Friday, 19 July 2019, I attended The Law Commission’s surrogacy consultation event at Exeter...

Resolution campaigns on behalf of our members and their clients for improvements to the family justice system. Our committees work together to set best practice and influence the direction of family law and justice to better serve the families we work with.

As the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill completes its second reading, we look at all the policy developments in family law over the past three months.

This is a recording of the Family Justice Question Time from Resolution's National Conference in ...

Resolution welcomes the report of the Parliamentary committee examining the draft Domestic Abuse Bill, and we hope the final Bill will reflect many of its recommendations.

The Government has published the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, which will provide for no fault divorce.

With the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill currently making its way through Parliament, there are plenty of ways you can join our call for no fault divorce. Keep checking back here for more information.

Resolution is often asked to respond to government consultations on issues relating to family law in England and Wales.

Resolution believes the laws surrounding divorce should be changed, to allow couples to separate without having to apportion blame on a legal document, and without having to wait at least two years before they can divorce.

Each year, Resolution campaigns on a policy issue that is close to the heart of our membership of...

Resolution's National Chair, Margaret Heathcote, talks to Rebecca Bailey-Harris, as part of Lexis...

Resolution has urged government to prioritise vital divorce law reform to reduce conflict between separating couples.

In April's policy briefing, we look at the government's divorce reform announcement, new findings from BSA on common-law marriage and more.

Resolution has welcomed the government's renewed commitment to reform family law to allow for no-fault divorce.

Resolution responds to the Ministry of Justice's long-awaited review into the impact of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO).

Cohabitation Committee Chair Graeme Fraser responds to new figures released by NatCen showing 46% of British adults mistakenly believe in legal protections from common-law marriage.

Margaret Heathcote, National Chair of Resolution, comments as government publishes their draft domestic abuse bill.

Highlights from our Good Divorce Week 2018 and all the developments in family law policy.

Resolution works to raise awareness of family law issues and the benefits of constructive and non-confrontational approaches to family disputes. All our policy and campaigns work is informed by the experiences of our members - family law practitioners - and their clients, and is driven by a network of member-led committees.

Resolution urges government to reform divorce law as soon as possible, during the annual Good Divorce Week 2019.

This HMCTS Family Reform event was aimed at family law practitioners and professional court users...

Responding to the news that the government intends to introduce no-fault divorce, the family justice body Resolution has welcomed the plans, which it says will reduce conflict among separating couples.

As we edge closer to securing no-fault divorce this policy briefing looks at developments in court modernisation, supporting vulnerable people and reform for cohabiting couples.

This Saturday (18 August) is set to be the most popular day this year for weddings in England and Wales. However, the number of people who decide to walk down the aisle continues to fall as more couples chose to live together unmarried.

Resolution's Legal Aid Committee has prepared this response to the Legal Aid Agency on the amended costs assessment guidance.

Divorce denied by Supreme Court today forces Mrs Owens to remain married to Mr Owens against her will.Call on politicians from all parties to back measures to reform outdated laws.1.7m people compelled to apportion blame in divorce since failed attempt to provide no-fault divorce option in 1996.

The Public Accounts Committee has today published its report following its enquiry into the HMCTS Transforming Courts and Tribunals Programme. The report calls the £1.2 billion modernisation programme “highly ambitious” and says “there is a significant risk that HMCTS will fail to deliver the benefits it expects”

Resolution, The Law Society and Women’s Aid have issued a joint call to the government to urgently bring forward promised legislation banning the cross-examination of domestic abuse victims by alleged perpetrators in the family courts, ahead of a parliamentary debate on the progress in protecting victims of domestic abuse in the family courts today (Wednesday 18thJuly).

Speaking about this morning’s Supreme Court judgment in favour of civil partnerships for opposite sex couples, Graeme Fraser, Chair of Resolution’s Cohabitation Committee, said:

Resolution provided this written evidence to the Public Accounts Committee on the progress of the HMCTS Court Modernisation Programme.

Our June 2018 Policy Brief looks at developments in court modernisation, no-fault divorce, Brexit and cohabiting couples.

Senior family lawyers gathered outside Parliament today to call on Government to reform outdated divorce laws and remove the need for blame from the process.

Resolution’s Domestic Abuse Committee responds to the consultation: Transforming the response to domestic abuse.

This plenary session was recorded at Resolution's National Conference in April 2018 at Bristol.

Hundreds of family lawyers are gathering to highlight the urgent need to introduce no-fault divorce. The call for change takes place at the annual conference of Resolution, the national family justice organisation.

In response to today's comments from the Justice Minister to further postpone the review of legal aid, and alongside the announced changes to the cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses, Resolution Chair Nigel Shepherd said:

Resolution's International Committee responds to the modernisation of judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters in the EU.

Resolution responds the the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunals Service's consultation on transforming the Tribunal Estate.

Key developments in family law on Brexit, no-fault divorce and cohabiting couples rights.

Resolution Chair Nigel Shepherd comments on HMCTS's digital divorce system.

Response to the SRA: Looking to the future

From 27 November to 1 December 2017, Resolution members across the country took part in our Cohabitation Awareness Raising Week. The aim of the week was to raise awareness of the common-law marriage myth and to campaign for legal change to provide at least basic support for separating cohabitants.

During Cohabitation Awareness week 2017, the Times led with our joint letter calling for change, signed by 17 partner organisations.

Millions of unmarried couples living together are unaware that they are at severe financial risk as a result of the current legal system, national family justice organisation Resolution has warned.

Resolution has submitted a response to HM Courts and Tribunal Service on the Flexible Operating Hours Prospectus. Our response focuses on the Family Court and the fifth pilot model in Manchester Civil Justice Centre.

Our response has been prepared by members of Resolution’s Property, Tax and Pensions Committee and International Committee who deal with divorce and financial remedy applications on a regular basis.

Resolution's response to the Family Procedure Rules Committee on vulnerable persons, their participation in proceedings and giving evidence.

Written evidence submitted by Resolution to the Justice Select Committee on the implications of Brexit for the justice system.

Resolution responds to the Ministry of Justice's consultation on Transforming our Justice System.

Response: EU proposal to revise Brussels II recast

Resolution provided evidence to the Bach Commission on Access to Justice.

Resolution responds to the national proposal on the provision of court and tribunal estate in England and Wales.

Resolution responds to the national proposal on the provision of court and tribunal estate in England and Wales.

Resolution responds to the Government Equalities Office's Review of civil partnerships.

Resolution responds to the Law Commission's consultation on intestacy and family provision claims on death.

Resolution's response to the Law Commission Consultation on Cohabitation.

Resolution's response to the 2012 Home Office consultation on the cross-government definition of domestic violence.