Sir James Munby: an Obituary
Sir Nicholas Mostyn writes about the life of Sir James Munby, who died on 1 January 2026: "a great leader, a brilliant historian, a remarkable lawyer, and a superb writer".
Blog
PD 27A Redux: March 2026 Family Court Bundle Changes Primer
The President has promulgated a revised PD 27A which will come into force on 2 March 2026, designed to modernise the law and embed best practice into one chaptered Practice Direction. This article sets out the key changes practitioners and litigants should be aware of in family proceedings.
An End to Secrecy in Family Courts? Proposed Reforms of Contempt of Court Law That Could Lift the Threats to Sharing Information
It’s common knowledge that people involved in family court proceedings held in private are very restricted in what they can say about what’s happening. The confusing part is when someone might be in contempt of court just for talking or writing about their case, even when anonymised.
The Absent Owner – Varying Beneficial Interests Upon Separation: an Analysis of the Leading Cases
Considering TLATA cases where A and B are joint owners of a family home, the relationship breaks down, and A vacates leaving B in occupation and financially responsible for the property, and then A returns years later seeking their share of the net equity.
When Might an Arbitration Not Be Entirely Private and Confidential?
One of the great virtues of family law arbitration is its ability to provide the parties with confidentiality and privacy for their dispute. Unlike court proceedings, the parties will not face the risk of the hearing taking place in open court with curious members of the public present.
![National Iranian Oil Company v Retirement, Savings and Welfare Fund of Oil Industry Workers v Crescent Gas Corporation Limited [2025] EWCA Civ 211 and Its Implications for TLATA Cases](/content/images/2025/12/pexels-jan-rune-smenes-reite-221584-3192669.jpg)
National Iranian Oil Company v Retirement, Savings and Welfare Fund of Oil Industry Workers v Crescent Gas Corporation Limited [2025] EWCA Civ 211 and Its Implications for TLATA Cases
The Court of Appeal confirms that a declaration of trust respecting land or any interest therein requires the personal signature of the settlor, not a third party on their behalf. This has implications where it is alleged a trust of land has arisen by virtue of an express declaration of trust.
Bundle of Joy: New Practice Direction on Bundles, Position Statements etc., Effective 2 March 2026
Practice Guidance Update No. 6 of 2025 contains amendments to a range of existing FPR PDs, including a comprehensive re-writing of PD 27A, which started life as the ‘Bundles Direction’.