Family law deals with legal issues involving family relationships. It covers a wide range of matters, including:

• Divorce and Separation
• Child Arrangements (formerly known as custody and access)
• Parental Responsibility
• Financial Settlements following divorce or separation
• Domestic Abuse and Protective Orders
• Adoption and Special Guardianship
• Grandparents’ Rights
• Paternity and Child Maintenance
• Care Proceedings
• Pre-nuptial and Post-nuptial Agreements
• Cohabitation Agreements.

Family law aims to protect the rights and best interests of individuals and families during often emotional and complex disputes.

You are legally entitled to represent yourself in court as a Litigant in Person. Many people choose to do so, especially in family law cases where legal aid may not be available. However, the process can be challenging without support.

That’s where Bath Family Law can help. As a professional McKenzie Friend and paralegal organisation, we provide knowledgeable, affordable assistance to help you prepare your case, understand court procedures, and present your evidence clearly. For some cases, especially those involving complex legal points or high conflict, we can help you obtain a barrister (like your solicitor would do) through a scheme called Direct Access.

A solicitor is a legal professional, regulated by the SRA, and authorised to conduct litigation, provide legal advice, and represent clients in court.

A professional McKenzie Friend, or paralegal organisation, is not regulated in the same way and cannot address the court directly. They offer a more cost-effective alternative to traditional legal representation, making justice more accessible – without compromising on the outcome. These days, many people choose to save on solicitor costs altogether, especially as a professional McKenzie Friend or paralegal can help you directly instruct a barrister for hearings.

At Bath Family Law, our team of family law experts retain professional memberships so you can be assured they follow transparent Codes of Conduct. They also attend regular training and courses (just like a solicitor) and are fully professionally insured. We empower our clients with guidance and support, whilst keeping administrative costs down, so you can spend your hard earned cash on a top barrister in court.

Parental Responsibility refers to the legal rights, duties, powers, responsibilities, and authority a parent has for a child. This includes decisions about the child’s education, medical treatment, religion, and general welfare.

Typically, the following people have Parental Responsibility:

• Birth mothers automatically
• Married fathers, or those listed on the birth certificate (in England and Wales, after 1 December 2003)
• Parents who have obtained it through a court order or Parental Responsibility Agreement
• Special guardians or adoptive parents.

If you don’t automatically have Parental Responsibility, you can apply to the court to obtain it.

Yes, you have the right to change your solicitor at any point during your case. Some people switch from using a solicitor to representing themselves (with the support of a McKenzie Friend or paralegal service) in order to reduce costs and take a more active role in their case.

Reach out to a member of our team to discuss your options if you are unsure how best to proceed.

A Direct Access Barrister is a qualified barrister who can be instructed by members of the public without needing to go through a solicitor. This route is often more cost-effective and also means you can communicate directly with the person representing you in court.

Bath Family Law often works alongside Direct Access Barristers, helping you prepare your case before handing over to them for court representation. We have excellent connections with many barristers’ clerks to ensure you find the right fit.

Collaborative Law is a process for resolving family disputes outside of court. Often, when a relationship ends, both parties operate independently with their respective lawyers in an attempt to reach resolution. Collaborative Law offers an alternative approach, where everyone involved is dedicated to reaching a settlement that suits both parties’ needs.

The Collaborative Law approach still allows for individuals to receive independent legal advice, but everyone involved (including the legal professionals) signs a participation agreement. This emphasises their commitment to avoid court proceedings and to work together to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. Should the process break down, it also disqualifies the legal professionals from representing or supporting either party in future litigation (so they cannot be motivated by larger legal fees for court support and will share your motivation for resolution outside of the courtroom).

At Bath Family Law, we assign each party with their own legal advisor from within our family team. So you have the added benefit of one organisation, and a working relationship between legal professionals, to further enhance the efficiency of the process.

Read more about Collaborative Law and it’s benefits in our blog.