Family law update 2026: key case law, legislation and practice developments

The family law landscape has continued to evolve throughout 2026, with important developments in case law, legislation and practice guidance affecting practitioners across private children law, public children law, domestic abuse and financial remedies.

This comprehensive year-end review will examine the key developments from the past 12 months, including changes in court processes, emerging judicial approaches and proposed reforms that could shape the future of family law. It will also consider the implications of the A Fairer End to Relationships consultation and its potential impact on cohabitation, financial needs and nuptial agreements.

The webinar will provide practitioners with a practical overview of the year’s most significant developments and their implications for advising clients and conducting family law cases.

Topics covered include:

• Divorce procedure developments
• Pre-nuptial agreements and developments – will these be on the statute books?
• Development in the child focused courts/pathfinder pilots
• Domestic abuse and fact findings in private children law cases
• Modern views on post-adoption contact
• Proposed reforms to cohabitation disputes
• Domestic abuse injunctions- updates on guidance
• Case law and statutory guidance developments