Christmas can be a tough time of year to stay sober; especially for those who struggle with addiction issues. 

In this latest Today's Family Lawyer podcast two experts provide their views on how specialist services can support family law professionals, and by extension their clients, in their efforts to stay sober over the festive period. 

Joining podcast host David Opie are Donna Muldoon, Reporting Manager and forensic toxicologist, and Sophie Lawrence, Client Manager from LexTox, a UK‑based accredited testing company. 

The discussion explores the heightened risks faced by individuals struggling with alcohol or substance abuse, especially at this time of year which can often trigger relapses. Robust testing solutions deliver real‑time monitoring and act as a deterrent, helping clients maintain abstinence when temptation is at its peak.

Solutions including hair strand analysis, breath tests, and an innovative drug patch help keep clients on the straight and narrow. 

Sophie brings a client‑focused perspective, sharing real case scenarios where testing has helped families demonstrate abstinence and avoid lengthy court proceedings. Her examples highlight how these services can provide reassurance to social workers, solicitors, and the courts, while ultimately supporting families to stay together.

The discussion also touches on the importance of chain of custody, ensuring results are reliable and admissible in court. Donna explains how patches are fitted, monitored, and removed under strict procedures, with photographs and paperwork providing a clear audit trail. The benefits also include immediacy of results, which traditional hair testing does not. 

The podcast also explores how raising awareness of these tools is vital to ensure professionals can access the most effective testing options; despite the widespread use of drug patches in the US for decades, they are relatively new to UK and there is much work to be to educate the courts on their value.

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, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

Recruitment and retention; almost always one of the top three items on the agenda at every partners meeting. Collaboration between education and industry could help professionals bridge the gap and identify new recruits at an earlier stage in their development. 

So say Jonathan Whettingsteel Partner and Head of Family Law at Dutton Gregory, and Brad Kershaw, Course Leader for Law at Solent University.

An alumnus of Solent University, Jonathan maintained strong ties with the institution and when Brad joined the university as course leader the idea for a law clinic - a space where students could engage with real clients under professional supervision - was borne. 

The clinic offers real world experience of the law and those who need the help of legal professionals. While popular media like Suits or LA Law may spark interest in legal careers, they rarely reflect reality. Law clinics provide students with exposure to genuine cases and client interactions, fostering professional skills beyond the classroom. Brad shared inspiring stories of students helping vulnerable individuals avoid homelessness, highlighting the profound societal impact of such initiatives.

Sadly the clinic offers a glimpse into the funding issues facing legal services. In just six months of the twice weekly clinic, nearly 200 clients were assisted. 

There are other benefits. 

• Students gain authentic, hands-on experience, improving employability and confidence.
• Industry benefits from community engagement, brand visibility, and access to future talent. For Dutton Gregory, the clinic serves as a pipeline for recruiting “the best and brightest.”
• Community members receive free legal advice, addressing gaps left by cuts to legal aid.

There are of course safeguards in place and the discussion briefly touches on the law student of the future, technologically literate and embracing innovation including AI. 

Both guests acknowledged that law clinics partly compensate for reduced legal aid, offering a lifeline to those unable to afford representation. These partnerships are also a way to push back against government cuts; while Brad urged more industry/university synergy across disciplines to enhance education and community impact.

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, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

The Today's Family Lawyer podcast explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on co-parenting through the eyes of family law professionals; with Sophie Lougher, Director and Senior Solicitor, and Kathryn Fanstone a Solicitor at Zeus Family Law sharing their insight and experiences. 

The Cardiff-based boutique firm was founded during the pandemic, driven by Sophie's own experience juggling a young family and professional commitments. Her passion for client care and practical legal advice sets the tone for the firm’s ethos. Kathryn trained and qualified at Zeus working on divorce, finance and children matters, and cohabitation disputes

The conversation centres on how co-parenting arrangements have shifted since the pandemic. Kathryn explains the rise of “nesting” – where children remain in the family home while parents rotate in and out – as a short-term solution aimed at minimising disruption for children. While beneficial in theory, she highlights the emotional and logistical strain it places on separating parents.

Many parents continue to have informal arrangements, which can at times lead to disputes around vaccinations, schooling, and the broader impact of equal parental responsibility. It's a 'grey area' says Sophie, with subsequent challenges to formalising temporary solutions

The episode closes with reflections on the importance of early legal advice, realistic expectations, and the shift towards less confrontational language in family law. Sophie and Kathryn emphasise the need for tailored guidance that balances the best interests of the child with the wellbeing of both parents.

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, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

The Today's Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes co-founder and Head of Innovation at Family Law Partners Alan Larkin on to discuss his vision for family law. 

Through his career Larkin has championed access to justice, and the evolution of client experience; and the use of technology to support these objectives - work which has recently been recognised with the award of an honorary doctorate by the University of Brighton for his sustained impact on the legal profession

A late bloomer in law, Larkin joined the profession aged 35 having come from the voluntary sector. Frustrated by the lack of technology in family law he set about using it to redesign legal processes to better serve individuals navigating family breakdowns; leading to the design of the first versions of onboarding platform. Nova Engage.

He describes how the traditional first consultation—often dominated by lengthy questioning—can be overwhelming for clients in distress; an issue technology can play its part of solving, although he is at pains to point out technology doesn’t replace lawyers but enhances their ability to connect with clients. Instead technology provides a “soft landing,” reducing stress and improving cognitive engagement during consultations.

The law should still be conducted by lawyers says Larkin, but software can offer contextual guidance and reassurance, enabling the lawyer to focus on the legal work. 

Much work remains on access to justice, particularly when it comes to the public's understanding of the law. Larkin notes that most people are unaware of alternatives to court, despite the existence of multiple dispute resolution models. He advocates for using technology to scale public awareness and promote collaborative, non-adversarial approaches.

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, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

The latest episode of Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes on Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors and Vice Chair of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group to discuss the impact of the Legal Aid Agency cyber attack on her firm, and the wider legal aid community. 

The Legal Aid Agency revealed as many as 2 million records dating back 2007 had been hacked back in May of this year; with the details of those affected particularly sensitive in cases of domestic abuse and vulnerable clients. 

For firms, the closure of the LAA portal left them unable to submit bills or process amendments digitally, forcing a return to paper-based applications. This sudden shift created confusion, especially among younger staff accustomed to digital workflows. Emergency measures allowed firms to handle urgent cases, but routine work stalled, leaving many clients unrepresented.

The impact on clients was profound as Watkins notes that some victims of domestic abuse and families in care proceedings were forced to attend court without legal support.

Legal aid firms, already operating on razor-thin margins, couldn't bill for months, in some cases threatening their very survival. In the course of the discussion, Watkins candidly shares her fear of missing payroll and the need to seek support from her bank. While contingency payments—based on historical averages—provided temporary relief, they introduced accounting complexities and deferred VAT liabilities. The looming administrative burden when the portal reopens is another major concern, as firms anticipate a flood of backlogged claims and potential delays in reimbursement.

Not only that, the cyber attack compounded the stress within sector who have seen legal aid rates effectively regress. Watkins warns that some firms have stopped taking emergency cases, fearing non-payment, which could exacerbate risks for vulnerable individuals. Staff resilience has been commendable, but uncertainty persists, fuelling doubts about the sustainability of legal aid work.

Needless to say Watkins' view is to better fund legal aid, more sustainably. But more broadly the LAA cyber attack is more than a technical failure—it is a catalyst for critical reflection on the viability of legal aid. As Watkins emphasizes, society must decide whether it values equal access to justice, because without urgent reform and investment, the future of legal aid—and the clients who depend on it—remains uncertain.

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, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Peter Burgess, Founding Partner at Burgess Mee Family Law, and Hannah Budd, Partner at the Rosefield Divorce Consultancy, to explore a new collaboration designed to reshape how family law professionals support clients in crisis.

The conversation centres on “Within the Window,” a trauma-informed framework developed to help clients navigate separation and divorce with greater emotional safety and clarity. Drawing on clinical insights and frontline experience, Peter and Hannah explain how trauma responses—such as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn—can profoundly affect decision-making, communication, and courtroom behaviour. Rather than treating these reactions as obstacles, their approach integrates them into strategy, preparation, and client care.

By delivering in-house training and empowering the firm's lawyers, Burgess Mee have embedded trauma-awareness into their practice, providing tools for the team to help clients like breathing exercises and grounding techniques tailored for key moments in proceedings. The collaboration also bridges the gap between legal and therapeutic support, ensuring clients receive consistent, coordinated guidance—especially when preparing for high-stakes events like hearings or fact-finding sessions.

Importantly, the episode doesn’t shy away from the realities of high-conflict cases. While non-court dispute resolution is ideal, Peter and Hannah emphasise that some clients—due to personality disorders, abuse histories, or complex dynamics—require a more robust, trauma-informed legal pathway.

This episode offers a fresh lens on how empathy, strategy, and collaboration can coexist—delivering better outcomes for clients and a more humane experience for all involved.

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, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

The Today's Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes Annmarie Carvalho, director of The Carvalho Consultancy (TCC), to discuss her work at the intersection of law and therapy and the launch of her new book, 'Saying Sane in Family Law', available now through Bath Publishing. 

A former family solicitor and mediator with over a decade of experience in a central London firm, Annmarie retrained as a therapist after recognising the psychological complexities inherent in family law. Her motto, 'Because we’ve walked in your shoes,' reflects the lived experience of her TCC team, many of whom are former lawyers themselves. The discussion explores strategies for family lawyers navigating emotionally charged cases, working with vulnerable clients, mental health disorders, suicidality, and resistance. These offerings are grounded in therapeutic principles but tailored for the legal context, equipping lawyers with practical tools to manage the emotional weight of their work.

Annmarie advocates for integrating relational and psychological training into legal education from the outset, arguing that lawyers should be seen more like GPs than surgeons—providing holistic support rather than just technical expertise. She also emphasises the importance of reflective practice and therapeutic supervision to prevent burnout and improve client outcomes.

Her book is the culmination of much of this work, discussing how family lawyers are increasingly expected to manage emotional aspects of cases, despite traditional training focusing solely on legal processes. Her training helps lawyers understand how to communicate effectively with distressed clients, avoid causing harm, and maintain professional boundaries—especially with “boundary bashers” who challenge time and emotional limits. The book is divided into two parts: the first addresses working with complex client issues (e.g., addiction, neurodiversity, trauma), while the second focuses on self-care and resilience strategies for professionals.

A series of upcoming workshops are now available to book on, with early bird prices until the end of September 2025. Delegates who sign up will receive a free copy of the book.

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, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie discusses the increasing number of disputes between separating partners when it comes to pets, and a new working group looking at amending legislation to bring it more in line with the challenges family professionals face on this emotive topic. 

Barrister Sarah Lucy Cooper,  Diane Matthews, a senior associate at MSB Solicitors in Liverpool, and Karis Nafte, a certified dog behaviour consultant and accredited family mediator all join this 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. There is both an emotional and legal element 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. 

There is precedent abroad where other jurisdictions have enacted legislation which recognises the emotional and well-being role our pets play and a new working group, launched this year, it looking at how UK legislation could amended.

The discussion explores how this tricky topic can be navigated under current legislation, exploring 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.

How can we evolve traditional legal frameworks to tackle a topic that’s often overlooked but deeply felt.

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, Northgene™ 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, Northgene™ 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, Northgene™ and VacantC Legal Recruitment.