Following the Daily Express coverage of the growing debate around Child Maintenance Service reform, and the Great British PAC petition calling for a fairer system for both parents, there is an opportunity to have a much bigger conversation about what genuine CMS reform should look like. The principle behind child maintenance is simple; Both parents have a responsibility to support their children. However the system used to determine that responsibility is anything but simple

By Deanna Newell, Founder of DN Family Law Every week at DN Family Law, we hear from parents who tell remarkably similar stories. Their relationship has ended, but the conflict has not. One parent is trying to rebuild life after separation. The other continues to use the children as a means of power, control, intimidation or punishment. Too often, these cases are dismissed as simply being “high conflict.” however conflict and coercive control are not the same thing. Conflict

A child’s safety should never depend on assumptions, competing narratives or a system that identifies risk only after harm has occurred. Every time a child is harmed during court-ordered contact with an unsafe parent, society is left asking the same question: Why was contact prioritised over safety? This is not about one parent, one family or one individual decision. It is about whether our family justice system has the right processes to identify risk, understand complex fam

As the House of Lords examines the impact of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, campaigners call for stronger assessment, earlier intervention, and a child-centred family justice system Why this matters now: Parliament examines whether children are truly being protected The House of Lords Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Committee is examining one of the most important questions facing family justice today: Are children who experience, witness or are affected by domestic abuse receiving the

Executive Summary The proposed changes in the Courts and Tribunals Bill 2026 could represent one of the most significant reforms to private family law in a generation. Removing the presumption of parental involvement provides an opportunity to create a more evidence-based family justice system. However, legislative change alone will not resolve the wider challenges faced by modern families. A modern family justice system requires earlier identification of risk, improved safeg

By Deanna Newell Founder - DN Family Law | Campaign Lead – Reform That Works BCP Council has approved a new five-year Domestic Abuse Strategy (2026–2031) focused on prevention, survivor support and tackling perpetrators. It is a welcome commitment that recognises domestic abuse as a serious public health and safeguarding issue. The strategy includes:- Earlier intervention and prevention Improved professional training Education for children and young people Greater public awar