Putting children first: the evolving role of the family law professional

Edward Cooke Managing Director of Edward Cooke Family Law

This article summarises the Family Solutions Group (FSG) report Putting Children First: The Evolving Role of the Family Law Professional. It is written by the co-authors of the report which was based on the findings of a 2025 survey of 546 professionals and parents plus interviews with nearly 50 key figures in the Family space. The report supported by the former and current Presidents of the Family Division as well as the Children’s Commissioner argues that the current adversarial system too often prioritises parental conflict over children's wellbeing and sets out ways how family law professionals can better support separating families in the future.

The article highlights the findings of the survey for example 92% of respondents believe professionals have a responsibility to children with 94% believing that they should aim to mitigate conflict.

The article summarises the key recommendations of the report; around the role and responsibilities of the family law professional (including recommended cultural change within the profession) the voice of the...