Maya’s Law has passed its second reading in Parliament following the death of two-year-old Maya Chappell. With more than 110,000 signatures backing the campaign, Maya’s family continues to push for stronger child protection measures, improved safeguarding powers and better information sharing to help prevent similar tragedies.
Child Arrangements Orders are legally binding, but enforcement is rarely straightforward. This article examines breaches, enforcement powers, judicial discretion, and why the child’s welfare remains central to the Family Court’s approach.
When can step-parents obtain parental responsibility in the UK? This article explains the legal framework, key case law, and options available, including child arrangements orders and applications under the Children Act 1989.
The rise of AI in family courts is reshaping how litigants in person prepare cases. While tools like ChatGPT improve access to justice, courts warn that inaccurate AI-generated content risks misleading proceedings and impacting children’s welfare.
Court proceedings can be overwhelming for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism or ADHD. Simple adjustments, such as allowing fidget tools, can reduce anxiety, improve focus and support effective participation, helping ensure fairness and accessibility in the justice process.
The Pathfinder Pilot reforms private law children cases by prioritising early risk assessment, safety, and multi-agency support. It replaces the standard process to reduce delays, make proceedings less adversarial, and deliver quicker, more sustainable outcomes for families.
International child relocation is tightly regulated in England and Wales, requiring consent from all with parental responsibility or the court’s approval. Guided by the Children Act 1989, decisions focus on the child’s welfare, including their needs, wishes, and the impact of moving abroad. Given the complexity of these cases, specialist legal advice is vital. Duncan Lewis Solicitors provide expert support to help parents navigate this sensitive process.
Family Court Trends Q1 2025
Delays persist across family courts despite some efficiency gains. Child arrangements, care proceedings, divorces, and domestic abuse cases are all under pressure. Unit Chambers’ barristers offer urgent, expert advocacy to support solicitors and clients through every stage of family law proceedings.
This case analysis of Re L [2022] EWCA Civ 169 examines whether judges can make findings outside the threshold document, highlighting the Court of Appeal’s approach to fairness, evidence, and case management in family law.
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