In this episode of Today’s Family Lawyer, host David Opie is joined by Diane Matthews, senior associate at MSB Solicitors in Liverpool, and Karis Nafte, a certified dog behaviour consultant and accredited family mediator, for a fascinating discussion on the growing recognition of pets as family members in separation and divorce proceedings.

As pet ownership continues to rise, so too does the emotional complexity of deciding who keeps the dog, cat, or other companion animal when relationships break down. Diane brings a legal lens to the conversation, highlighting how courts in England and Wales currently treat pets as property—often overlooking the welfare of the animal or the emotional bonds involved. Karis offers a fresh perspective, drawing on her experience mediating pet custody arrangements that prioritise the pet’s wellbeing and the family’s emotional needs.

Together, they explore how collaborative approaches—combining legal expertise with behavioural insight—can lead to more humane, balanced outcomes. From shared care agreements to pet parenting plans, the episode showcases practical tools that help families navigate separation without turning pets into pawns.

Listeners will gain insight into how attitudes are shifting, why traditional legal frameworks may need to evolve, and how professionals can better support clients through emotionally charged decisions. Whether you're a family lawyer, mediator, or pet owner facing separation, this episode offers a compassionate and forward-thinking look at a topic that’s often overlooked but deeply felt.

A must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of law, emotion, and the animals we love.

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.

Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

This episode of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast features host David Opie in conversation with Grant Cameron - family lawyer, mediator, collaborative practitioner, and a partner at Trethowans. Grant recently concluded his tenure as Chair of Resolution, having led the organization during a transformative post-COVID period marked by significant legislative and cultural shifts.

He reflects on the implementation of no fault divorce and how Resolution maintained momentum through its Vision for Family Justice manifesto. The conversation explores future reform priorities, particularly cohabitation rights, early access to legal advice, and improvements to legal aid.

Grant discusses the renewed emphasis on Resolution’s Code of Practice in 2025, encouraging professionals to revisit the values of respectful communication and dignified practice. He advocates for refresher training and emphasizes kindness as central to client care.

The episode also highlights a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to family law, incorporating financial and emotional expertise alongside legal guidance. In closing, Grant shares his three wishes for the sector’s future: equitable access to justice, sustainable support for legal aid practitioners, and long-awaited reform for cohabiting couples. These, he believes, are vital to building a more compassionate and effective family law framework.

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.

Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this episode of the Today's Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie welcomes Sally Robinson, partner and head of the HCR Law Family Team in Central England. Broadcasting from the Northampton office, Sally brings over two decades of legal experience to a timely discussion on how language in family law is evolving.

Sally reflects on the landmark shift introduced by no-fault divorce, calling it the most significant change in her career. She highlights how the move away from adversarial language fosters amicable resolutions and reduces emotional strain, particularly in cases involving children.

The conversation dives into practical adjustments—like switching from "my client/your client" to using first names—to humanize the legal process. Sally candidly shares how even small changes in tone can reshape outcomes and reduce conflict.

David and Sally explore the role of lawyers in promoting a less combative narrative. As trainers and role models to the next generation, today's professionals are crucial in redefining perceptions, both within legal circles and in the public eye.

Referencing initiatives like Resolution and the Language Matters paper, Sally urges the profession to use its influence thoughtfully—because every word counts in safeguarding families through separation.

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.

Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie is joined by Jude Eyre, Associate Director at the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (NFJO).

Together, they explore the newly released Toolkit for Judges on Writing to Children, a guidance document designed to support judges in communicating directly with children in family law proceedings.

Jude offers insight into the collaborative process behind the toolkit, developed with input from the Family Justice Young People’s Board, judges, social workers, researchers, and families with lived experience.

The discussion centres on improving accessibility and compassion in court communications—highlighting how a well-crafted letter can empower children to understand decisions affecting their lives.

Jude also addresses concerns about judicial workloads and explains how early collaboration with legal professionals can ease implementation of this approach.

With its practical examples and supportive tone, the toolkit reflects a growing shift toward a more transparent, child-focused justice system.

Essential listening for professionals across the family law landscape, this episode reinforces the power of clear, empathetic communication at every stage of the process.

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.

Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this powerful episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie welcomes Shoba Aziz, an experienced barrister at Great James St Chambers, for an important conversation exploring the psychological dimensions of domestic abuse—specifically narcissistic behaviour and gaslighting.

Drawing on over 20 years in legal practice, Shoba shares her deep expertise in private child and family law, especially in cases involving coercive control and emotional manipulation. She explains how narcissistic traits and gaslighting manifest within relationships, often leaving victims confused, isolated, and doubting their own reality.

Shoba offers real-world insights from her courtroom experience, highlighting the emotional toll this abuse has on victims and the need for practitioners to spot often-subtle signs. She emphasises the importance of creating a safe space for clients, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences are validated.

The episode also explores the evolving legal landscape, with Shoba referencing landmark cases and the application of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. She underscores the critical need for joined-up support services, wider education among professionals, and greater societal awareness.

This episode is a compelling call to action, encouraging legal professionals and the wider community to better understand, identify, and support those affected by psychological abuse in the family court system.

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.

Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie is joined by Mike Mack, CEO of the Family Mediation Trust, and Lorraine Bramwell, a seasoned family mediator and trainer, to discuss the creation of a new Domestic Abuse Screening Tool.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Family Mediation Trust and the Family Mediation Council (FMC), aimed at improving the consistency and effectiveness of domestic abuse screening in mediation settings.

The conversation begins with an overview of the Family Mediation Trust’s longstanding role in supporting families through separation and its broader mission to enhance the mediation sector. Mike explains the Trust recognised a gap in consistent domestic abuse screening, a sentiment shared by Lorraine who added while mediators are trained to recognize and respond to abuse, current approaches vary widely.

The new tool aims to consolidate best practices into a unified framework, ensuring all FMC-registered mediators have access to a consistent, practical resource.

Alongside a range of sensitive, non-intrusive questions, the toolkit will also provide guidance on interpreting responses and help direct clients to appropriate support services when mediation is not suitable. There is also the evolving nature of domestic abuse, including the rise of technological abuse (e.g., misuse of smart home devices), which requires the adaptation of mediation practices accordingly. He adds around 40% of the Trust’s cases involve some form of domestic abuse, underscoring the urgency of this initiative.

And with the changes to Family Procedure Rules increasing the volume and complexity of cases referred to mediation, now is absolutely the right time to focus efforts on this initiative; with consultation ongoing and a planned launch at the FMC’s conference in September 2025.

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.

Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this latest Today's Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie welcomes Laura Tanguay and Lucy Birch from Birketts LLP to discuss the launch of their Modern Families service.

Lucy Birch is a senior associate in the family team, and Laura Tanguay is a legal director in the property disputes team; with the podcast exploring how this unique combination of expertise is central to the Modern Families service.

Laura Tanguay explains the rationale behind the Modern Families service, emphasising the decision to house Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (TOLATA) disputes within the property disputes team rather than the family team. This approach is driven by the fact that these cases are heard in civil courts under civil procedure rules, making it more logical for property disputes specialists to handle them. Laura's expertise in property disputes is crucial for handling increasingly common cohabitation issues.

The discussion moves on to explore the lack of understanding among the public regarding their rights and the complexities of TOLATA claims, with both Laura and Lucy echoing the sentiment of many practitioners on the need for reform.

In a topical discussion, the podcast explores how to protect clients, particularly those purchasing property as first-time buyers with partners and working with other members of the firm, like conveyancers, to ensure clients understand their rights.

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.

Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

Today's Family Lawyer Podcast host David Opie welcomes Kate Daly, co-founder of amicable to discuss the evolution of the business since it launched in 2015; to a point where it now is one of the largest providers of family law services in the UK by virtue of the number of consent orders it submits annually.

Founded by Kate, a counsellor with a background in psychology, and Pip Wilson, and driven by a desire to find a better way to separate following Kate's own separation, the goal initially was to create an app to help couples prepare for divorce by organising their finances and child arrangements before seeking legal help. However it soon became apparent people wanted more.

Kate speaks candidly about the impact of the High Court case which ultimately validated amicable's service offering and centred on the delivery of legal services as an unregulated entity.

Kate also discusses the role technology plays in the business and how it underpins the human element of the business; tackles hourly billing and increasingly accounting for changing consumer attitudes including payment credit options; and the delivery of high quality legal services, regardless of regulation.

In 2023 Octopus Group acquired a majority stake in amicable enabling it to further expand its service offering and provide financial and legal support, and a holistic approach to divorce and separation.

"We are trying to change the narrative around divorce and separation" concludes Kate, acknowledging there is no one size fits all and amicable is not always the best route for couples. "We are just one of the many ways, but the more the public has an understanding of the different ways (including mediation and arbitration) the better."

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast is available on your preferred podcast provider and at www.todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk.

Subscribe to Today's Family Lawyer to receive our FREE weekly newsletter, out every Thursday and listen in to the podcast to hear all the latest news and views from across the family law sector. Thank you to our Podcast Sponsors; LexTox and VacantC Legal Recruitment.