header-logo header-logo

17 April 2026 / Caroline Bowden
Issue: 8157 / Categories: Features , Family , Child law , Divorce
printer mail-detail

Hearing children’s voices

247171
© Getty images
Caroline Bowden on a new report that calls for a rethink of family law practice
  • According to a new report, families and practitioners believe the system must change to better protect children and reduce the harmful effects of parental conflict.

A major new report on the future of family law practice has just been published. It calls for a fundamental shift in how professionals support families going through separation, placing children’s welfare firmly at the centre of the process and moving away from avoidable adversarial approaches that can intensify conflict.

Launched by the Family Solutions Group at Kingsley Napley on 12 March, ‘Putting children first: the evolving role of the family law professional’ brings together the results of a wide-ranging consultation with nearly 550 professionals and parents, alongside interviews with almost 50 central figures working across the family justice and support sectors. The key authors, Charlotte Bradley and Edward Cooke, are both solicitors with many years’ experience of working within the family law field, who drew together an experienced group of other professionals to assist. The findings paint

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

20 promotions mark major people investment at national law firm, Anthony Collins

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley adds competition litigator Elaine Whiteford in London

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys welcomes Claudina D’Costa as Director of Client Development Marketing

NEWS
The 25th Pro Bono Week begins today until 6 November, with events hosted by law firms, chambers, law schools and charities across the UK
Pro bono is celebrating a silver anniversary, with initiatives putting businesses and students at the heart of access to justice
Choosing the wrong expert can cost a clinical negligence claimant more than their case
Judges risk weakening their own independence by staying silent over government reforms, a leading public lawyer argues
A discount on damages does not automatically mean an equivalent haircut for legal costs in military deafness claims
back-to-top-scroll