UK Family Law Market Report 2026
This is the 12th annual edition of the report publis hed in April 2026 (43 page PDF report)
Report Contents
Steady market growth forecast for the next few years. 9
Over 400 law firms disappeared from the market in last four years. 11
MARKET DEVELOPMENTS AND DRIVERS. 13
Marriages down but civil partnerships increasing. 13
Legal aid work and funding in long term decline but an increase in 2024/25. 14
Number of mediation starts and outcomes grow in 2024/25.15
High numbers of LIPs in adoption, private law, and domestic abuse cases. 16
Child Focused Courts to be rolled out across England and Wales.17
Family court backlogs letting down children and families.. .17
Consultation on co-habitation reforms in 2026. 19
Policy changes needed for family courts to support women and girls. 20
Family arbitration use doubles as court delays mount. 21
Repeal of presumption of parental involvement. 21
Mediation voucher scheme extended again to end March 2027. 22
The Domestic Abuse (Pets) Bill obtains a first reading.22
Big reduction since 2018 in family mediators offering legal aid. 23
Maguire Family Law Solicitors. 25
Solicitors - Rest of the UK. 29
Another year of good market growth in 2025. 33
Family Courts cases started increased in 2025 for first time since 2021. 34
But cases completed decreased slightly in 2025. 35
Annual divorce petitions filed continue to fall as divorce completions increase. 37
Digital divorce applications account for almost all petitions filed38
Latest civil partnership dissolutions data shows increase in England and Wales. 38
Divorces in Scotland and Northern Ireland. 38
Financial remedy applications still increasing but disposals down in 2025. 39
Children Act cases started still growing and more children caught in the courts. 40
Volume of domestic violence cases started at highest level over last decade. 41
Adoption applications and starts decrease again in 2025. 42
