In this episode, host Catharine Langley, Barrister at Westgate Chambers, hosts Amy Walpole, Partner and Head of Family, East Anglia and Karen Brennan, Partner and Head of Family, Leamington Spa, from HCR Law. In this episode, we discuss Nuptial Agreements; are they binding, the position post Radmacher, the issue of fairness and judicial discretion.

This episode is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.

In this episode, host Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCIArb, Barrister at Westgate Chambers, hosts Clizia Motterle, Senior Associate at RWK Goodman.

In this episode, we discuss religious divorce reform. Religious divorce reform aims to address the legal "limbo" faced by individuals whose civil marriage is dissolved, but whose religious marriage is not.

The Divorce (Religious Marriages) Act 2002 allows courts to withhold the civil decree absolute until religious divorce steps are taken.

This episode is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.

In this episode, host Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCIArb, Barrister at Westgate Chambers, hosts Professor Jo Delahunty KC and Ian McArdle where they discuss their new book; Domestic Abuse and the Family Justice System: Law and Practice.

This much needed new book looks at the legal framework governing allegations of domestic abuse from Statute and Rules to precedent and good practice. It assists those working with both victims and perpetrators of alleged coercive controlling behaviour and domestic abuse, and those who represent the children impacted by adult behaviours. Guiding the reader through the legal framework the court applies when assessing competing adult claims and denials, the work identifies areas that can be problematic to manage unless well anticipated and sets out ways in which they can be navigated. This book combines best practice from the criminal courts to assist family law practitioners in identifying common mistakes made by practitioners and the family justice system, offering solutions and promoting best practice. Each chapter identifies principles and practice points, highlighting the key points practitioners can deploy to enhance and develop their own case preparation and court room skills. Not only essential reading for all involved in this area of law but a necessary addition to every courtroom.

Professor Jo Delahunty KC (Author) Ian McArdle (Author) Michelle Heeley KC (Author) Chloe Ashley (Author) Anita Mehta (Author)

You can purchase the book here published by Bloomsbury Professional: - https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/domestic-abuse-and-the-family-justice-system-9781526528186/

This episode is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.

In this episode, host Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCIArb, Barrister at Westgate Chambers, hosts Professor Jo Delahunty KC.

In this episode, we discuss Jo's new book We Set the Bar - Fighting for Equality, Empowerment and Change within the Legal Profession.

The Bar has a long-standing reputation for being the preserve of public-school educated, white men. Power and privilege can create abuses of power. From discrimination and disadvantage in entering the profession, to toxic work practices, sexual harassment, judicial bullying and more.

In her trademark outspoken style, Jo Delahunty K.C. reveals what life at the legal aid Bar involves and identifies what can be done to change its culture and image for the better, reshaping the traditional image of a barrister in terms of the diverse profession it should be.

By celebrating the highs, but not concealing the lows, of a life in law, Jo's love letter to her profession 'sets the bar' for action: what we can learn from the past and what needs to be done in future to galvanise it into a united, egalitarian, healthy environment for all.

You can purchase this book here: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/we-set-the-bar

This episode is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.

Bristol University Press

In this episode, Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCIArb, Barrister at Westgate Chambers, hosts Vanessa Gardiner, Partner at RWK Goodman, in a lively discussion about Weddings Law Reform.

Marriage Law in England and Wales still largely regulates buildings rather than people, meaning where and how you marry is tightly controlled — and many argue it no longer reflects our diverse modern society

In this episode, they discuss the Law Commission's Review of major proposed changes, touching upon shifting from regulating venues to regulating officiants, allowing weddings in more places (fields, beaches, private homes), simplifying legal processes and notice requirements along with potential inclusion of non-religious belief organisations and independent celebrants.

This episode of the Family Law Week Podcast is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.

In this episode, Nathanael Harding of Westgate Chambers is joined by Yasmin Khan-Gunns (Family Lawyer at Keystone Law) and Marcie Shaoul (Marcie Shaoul, author of The Co-Parenting Method and Director of The Co-Parent Way) to discuss the Separated Parenting Programme Directory (SPPD).

SPPD is a newly launched (December 2025) UK Charity that provides parents and family professionals with a single, national directory of quality-assured separated parenting programmes. Our purpose is to support separating and separated parents by improving access to trusted parenting programmes that meet our specific quality standards - and, in doing so, to assist family lawyers, mediators, the court, Cafcass and other family related professionals who regularly signpost clients to such support.

SPPD exists in response to a long-standing gap faced by family practitioners: the absence of a central, trusted source identifying which parenting programmes are available, what they offer, how much they cost and whether they meet certain standards. Family lawyers, Barristers and Mediators are encouraged - by the court, Cafcass, and the Family Procedure Rules - to promote early intervention and conflict-reduction support for parents, yet there has historically been no consistent framework for identifying suitable parenting programmes.

SPPD's website and further information can be found here - https://separatedparentingprogrammedirectory.org/

They can be followed on Instagram here: @sppd.uk.

This episode of the Family Law Week Podcast is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.

In this episode, Stuart Taylor-Jones hosts, Linda Lamb, (LSL Family Law), Felicia Munde (Stewarts), Lucie Bultitude and Keelan Shrimpton (RWK Goodman) who were all recent winners at Family Law Week's Private Law Recognition Awards 2025.

Linda (Winner, Solicitor of the Year), Felicia (Winner, Highly Commended, Solicitor of the Year), Lucie (Winner, Young Professional of the Year) and Keelan (Winner, Highly Commended, Young Professional of the Year) discuss their successes along with their legal journey. They all look to the future to consider where will be in the next10 years with the implementation of AI and other recent proposed changes to Family Law Legislation.

Congratulations again to all our winners:

Barrister of the Year Winner: Jodie Cudworth (Westgate Chambers) Highly Commended: Dr Charlotte Proudman

Solicitor of the Year Winner: Linda Lamb (LSL Family Law) Highly Commended: Emma Sanders (Sousa Law)

Rising Star of the Year Winner: Poppy Harber Highly Commended: Felicia Munde (Stewarts)

Young Professional of the Year Winner: Lucie Bultitude (RWK Goodman) Highly Commended: Keelan Shrimpton (RWK Goodman)

In this episode, Westgate Chambers' Barrister Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCIArb, hosts, Rebekah Gershuny, Founder of Evolve Family Mediation.

In this episode we explore the issue of What's the Difference between a Shared Care Arrangement and a Joint Lives With Order (if any) and what are the practical implications when focussing on the recent case of AZ v BX [2024] EWHC 1528 (Fam). Elissa and Rebekah also explore the benefits to separated parents of using Child Inclusive Mediation and parenting courses to enable parents to navigate their new situation of parenting both separately and together.

This episode of the Family Law Week Podcast is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.

In this episode, Westgate Chambers' Barrister Elissa Da Costa-Waldman MCIArb, hosts Laura Williams, Partner, Mediator and Joint Head of Family at HCR Law.

In this episode we discuss; Cohabitation – How cohabitation law is still in the 19th Century, the lack of sensible provision for cohabitants, as well as the current government's manifesto promise to reform this area of law and whether Scotland or Australia have a better model for former unmarried partners.

This episode of the Family Law Week Podcast is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.

In this episode, Westgate Chambers Barrister Scott Sharp, hosts Jude Eyre, Associate Director at the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, Anna Yarde from Harcourt Chambers as well as "Anne" a young person and member of the Family Justice Young People's Board.

In this episode we discuss; the President of the Family Division's recently published resource for judges – Writing to Children – A Toolkit.

The President of the Family Division published this toolkit for family judges to support them in writing to the children. As the toolkit sets out, judges writing to children is a key means by which judges can ensure children feel heard and are supported to understand what the family court has decided in relation to their family and why. Judges writing to children is one important way of supporting children's participation in proceedings. It allows children to hear directly from the person who made life changing decisions about them and their family. Letters of this type can help ensure children know that the judge was thinking about them and understand how their views, thoughts and feelings were taken into account.

This episode of the Family Law Week Podcast is produced by Stuart Taylor-Jones.