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The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has published its' 'Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026'.
The 'Main Points' section states:
"Increase in the number of cases started in the family courts
67,843 new cases started in family courts in April to June 2026, up 1% compared to the same quarter in 2025. This was due to increases in private law (11%) and financial remedy (4%) cases. However, there was a decrease in domestic violence (5%), matrimonial matters (4%) and adoption (3%) case starts.
On average, care proceedings were quicker than in the same quarter last year with a similar proportion of cases disposed within 26 weeks
The average time for a care or supervision case to reach disposal was 37 weeks (mean average) in April to June 2026, down 1 week compared to the same quarter in 2025. 36% of cases were disposed of within 26 weeks - similar to the same period in 2025.
Private law (Children Act) cases were quicker than in the same quarter last year with a larger proportion of cases disposed within 26 weeks
The average time for Children Act private law cases to be disposed was 33 weeks (mean average) in April to June 2026, down 3 weeks compared to the same quarter in 2025. 52% of cases were disposed of within 26 weeks - up 3 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025.
There were 26,834 divorce applications under the no fault divorce legislation this quarter
Between April to June 2026 there were 26,834 divorce applications made, down 3% compared to the same period in 2025, including those for dissolution of civil partnerships.
Decrease in domestic violence remedy orders applied for, with an increase in the orders made
The number of domestic violence remedy orders applied for was 8,461, a decrease of 4% compared to the equivalent quarter in 2025, while the number of orders made increased by 4% to 9,277 over the same period.
Decrease in the number of both adoption applications and orders
In April to June 2026 there were 893 adoption applications, down 2% on the equivalent quarter in 2025. The number of adoption orders issued decreased by 8% to 898.
Decrease in deprivation of liberty applications and orders made under the Mental Capacity Act 2005
There were 1,864 applications under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 relating to deprivation of liberty in April to June 2026, with 5,507 orders made - both down 13% on the equivalent quarter in 2025.
Time taken for probate grants issued remains similar to the same quarter last year
Probate grants took approximately 5 weeks (mean average) to be issued after the application was submitted during April to June 2026, similar to the equivalent quarter in 2025. The number of probate applications was 61,941, down 1% compared to the same period."
To see the statistics in full, click here.
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