Domestic abuse
There are a number of organisations working with and providing support to survivors of domestic abuse. This is a non-exhaustive list of organisations both national and local:
- Refuge – https://refuge.org.uk
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 – this is a free helpline available 24/7
- Women’s Aid – https://womensaid.org.uk
- Respect – https://www.respect.org.uk
- South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service – https://sldas.org.uk
- Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service – https://liverpooldomesticabuseservice.org.uk
- Merseyside Domestic Violence Service – https://www.mdvs.org
- RASA Merseyside (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support) – https://rasamerseyside.org
- Wirral Domestic Abuse Hub – https://itsneverokwirral.org
- Wirral Women and Children’s Aid – https://wwaca.org
- Paul Lavelle Foundation – https://paullavellefoundation.co.uk
- My CWA (Cheshire) – https://www.mycwa.org.uk
- Chester Women’s Aid – https://chesterwomensaid.org
- Open The Door Cheshire – https://www.openthedoorcheshire.org.uk
The Guide for Separated Parents
HMCTS has produced a guide to help separating parents, whether you are thinking about coming to court or are already involved in a court case. It contains useful information about the court process and provides advice about how you should behave in court and what to expect while you are there.
CAFCASS ‘Our Child’s Plan’
A parenting plan is a written agreement that sets out a co-parenting approach that can cover a range of practical issues for your child or children and you. Cafcass has designed an interactive tool to help parents agree a co-parenting plan. It is a free to use resource and the plan can be completed online (requires registration).
Litigants in person in the family justice system
The government has a webpage to assist people who are representing themselves in cases before the family courts. The webpage contains a number of links to advice and guidance for different types of family cases including getting a divorce, sorting out finances when getting divorced, making arrangements for children, domestic abuse and what it means when social workers are involved with your family.
Judiciary website
Court service
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service
National Archives Law Reports
https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Bailii – British and Irish Legal Information Institute
Family law week – latest family law news and case reports
https://www.familylawweek.co.uk
Cafcass
Cafcass advises the family courts about the welfare of children and what is in their best interests. Cafcass are involved in private law cases (disputes between parents or other family members) and public law cases (cases involving state intervention by the local authority). The website has useful information for children and young people, for parents and carers, and for professionals.
FDAC – Family Drug and Alcohol Courts
The Family Drug and Alcohol Court [FDAC] is an alternative family court for care proceedings. It is specially designed to work with parents who struggle with drug and alcohol misuse. However, parents coming into FDAC will often have other difficulties as well, including mental health problems and experiences of domestic abuse. FDAC is different from other family courts. It is all about trying to solve the problems that have led the local authority to bring the parent to court.
The national website for FDAC provides information for parents and practitioners including resources for legal practitioners and practice resources for the specialist team working in FDAC.
Resolution
Resolution is a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way
https://resolution.org.uk/about-us/
FLBA – Family Law Bar Association
Specialist bar association for family barristers
Family Justice Council
The primary role of the Family Justice Council is to promote an inter-disciplinary approach to family justice and to monitor the system. The Council, a non-statutory, advisory body, monitors how effectively the system, both as a whole and through its component parts, delivers the service the Government and the public need. It advises on reforms necessary for continuous improvement.
https://www.judiciary.uk/related-offices-and-bodies/advisory-bodies/family-justice-council/
REUNITE International Child Abduction Centre
REUNITE is a charity providing advice, support, mediation and research and policy information on the issues surrounding the international movement of children. The charity supports parents, guardians and family members. The website includes details of online resources and other services.
Nuffield Family Justice Observatory
The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory aims to improve the lives of children and families by using data and research evidence to hold up a mirror to the family justice system. The FJO commissions, synthesises and undertakes research to shed light on the experiences of children and parents before, during and after their cases are heard in the family court. The FJO makes recommendations for changes to practice and policy to improve children’s and families’ lives.
https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/nuffield-family-justice-observatory
Association of Lawyers for Children
The ALC exists to promote and secure justice for children and young people within the legal system in England and Wales. Within that framework, its aim is to develop and improve the practice of lawyers in meeting the needs of children who become involved in legal processes by promoting standards of best practice and interdisciplinary training. The ALC has an outstanding reputation for promoting the voice of the child.
Courtney Legal
A source of user friendly information for people going through separation and divorce.
Advice Now
The Advice Now website provides information and videos about a range of legal issues including family law. Link below to the information relating to going to the family court.
https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/family-and-children/going-family-court
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice provides advice on a wide range of subjects including family matters. The website includes advice on separation, mediation, sorting out finances on separation, making arrangements for children, parenting and gender violence.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/
Gingerbread
Charity working with single parent families and providing practical support and expert advice for single mums and dads in England and Wales.
https://www.gingerbread.org.uk
Relate
Relationship support service. Relate has a network of relationship counsellors and a group of licensed local counsellors that provide face-to-face and online counselling and support. Our counselling services include relationship counselling, family counselling, children’s counselling and young people’s counselling. The website also has help pages offering practical tips to manage common relationship issues and a series of toolkits and courses.
Disclaimer: Nothing on this website constitutes legal advice and the inclusion of any other website or publication does not imply or mean an endorsement of the contents thereof. This website is maintained by legal professionals and whilst every effort is made to ensure it is kept up to date, users are advised to confirm that the links and documents provided are the most up to date versions.
Cheshire and Merseyside Family Court Forum 