- News & Comment
-
Online Shop
Online Services
Looseleafs
Law Reports
Books and eBooks
-
CPD & Events
Webinars
- Authors
- About Family Law
- Contact
Sir Andrew McFarlane has retired from the judiciary, concluding his tenure as President of the Family Division, President of the Court of Protection and Head of Family Justice after nearly eight years in post.
Appointed in 2018, Sir Andrew oversaw a period of significant reform within the family justice system, including efforts to modernise court processes, improve transparency and enhance the experience of families navigating proceedings.
A central development during his presidency was the expansion of transparency in family courts. Following a 2021 review, a pilot enabling media reporting of family proceedings was launched in 2023 and rolled out across England and Wales in January 2025. The initiative has been described as a “watershed moment” in balancing open justice with the need to protect the privacy of vulnerable individuals.
More recently, Sir Andrew supported the rollout of the Child Focused Court model, designed to prioritise the impact of disputes on children at an earlier stage in proceedings. The approach aims to reduce the number of hearings and improve outcomes, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse.
His tenure also included steering the courts through the operational challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The publication of “The Road Ahead” in 2020 set out a framework for recovery, incorporating increased use of remote hearings and digital working practices that have since become embedded within the system.
As President, Sir Andrew led the Family Division of the High Court, which handles complex family law matters including care proceedings, child arrangements, financial disputes on divorce, adoption and medical treatment cases. He also presided over the Court of Protection and chaired both the Family Procedure Rule Committee and the Family Justice Council.
Before his judicial career, Sir Andrew practised as a barrister specialising in family law and was later appointed a High Court judge in 2005, followed by elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2011.
His departure marks a leadership transition at a time when the family justice system continues to implement structural reforms and address ongoing pressures, including caseload demand and the integration of new models of working.
