Family and children

Guidance and resources on family and children law issues, including relationship breakdown and children in the context of divorce or separation, plus children in public law and cross-border disputes.
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Legal aid and family law

Legal aid should be available for early legal advice, alleged perpetrators and victims of domestic abuse, special guardianship orders and finance cases.

Learn about our position on legal aid
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Legal aid means test review: understand the changes

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Family law microcredential

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Early legal advice

We’re campaigning for legal aid to be reintroduced for early legal advice, particularly in family and housing law.

Learn more about Early legal advice
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News and articles

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Sarah is a south Asian woman. She is wearing a pink suit and a black watch, she has her arms crossed. She has a neutral expression.

“I couldn’t see career progression, so I made my own opportunities”

Meet Sarah Khan-Bashir. Growing up, a career in law wasn’t on her radar, and the early years of her career were marked by…

07 Aug 2023

Mind the legal aid gap

We urge the UK government to further invest in civil legal aid to avoid people having to represent themselves in court, particularly in cases of domestic abuse.

26 Jun 2025

Westminster update: lord chancellor on vital ECHR reform

Your weekly update on all the latest developments and debates in Parliament and across Whitehall. This week: lord chancellor on ECHR reform, legal aid in the Children's Wellbeing Bill, court investment debates for the Mental Health Bill.

25 Jun 2025

Funding family courts would free 4,000 children from legal limbo

The Law Society of England and Wales supports the NAO report on the family court system and the recommendations made to free thousands of children from legal limbo.

21 May 2025

Domestic Abuse Advocacy Scheme – register as a qualified legal representative

Find out how to register for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Domestic Abuse Advocacy Scheme.

03 Apr 2025

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Topics related to family and children

Client care

Legal aid

Access to justice