Family Law Reform 2025: A Step Forward for Children, But Still Work to Do
In October 2025, the UK took an important step toward protecting children and victims of domestic abuse. The government announced that family courts will no longer begin with the presumption that a child benefits from contact with both parents. A rule long criticised for exposing children to continued harm in unsafe family situations.
For many campaigners, this marks a moment of progress, an overdue recognition that children’s safety must come before shared contact. But while this reform is a powerful symbol, experts, including domestic abuse organisations and family mediators, agree: it’s only a first step in changing the culture of family law.
At Civilised Separations, we see this as a vital move toward empowering victims and reducing harm to children but also as a reminder that real change means listening, not just legislating.
Let’s change the story of separation. One conversation at a time.
Protecting children from harm and recognising their experience
The decision to remove the “pro-contact” presumption comes after years of concern that it placed parental rights above children’s welfare. Research and lived experience have shown that the previous law too often left children exposed to risk, or forced into unsafe arrangements that prioritised the idea of “equal contact” over emotional and physical security.
Olive Craig, a senior legal officer at Rights of Women, said: “While this is a really, really important step forward, it is just one step towards managing the very real problems of the cultural environment in the family justice system. And while we’re really pleased to see this really positive step, it is just that, it’s a step.
That distinction matters. It signals a shift from assumption to awareness. From seeing children as passive participants to recognising that their voices and safety must be central to every decision. Yet, as Craig notes, changing the wording of the law is not the same as changing the attitude of the courts.
Listening to children without burdening them
At Civilised Separations, our work is built around child-inclusive practice, ensuring children are heard in a safe, supported way. But being heard is very different from being made to decide.
Children should be given the space to share their feelings, fears, and hopes about what family life looks like after separation without being placed in the impossible position of choosing sides.
This new legal change helps open that space, but it also places responsibility on professionals - lawyers, mediators, judges - to handle those voices with care and respect.
Culture change still needed: beyond the courtroom mindset
While the reform sends a strong message, it doesn’t automatically reshape how cases are handled day-to-day. As many in the field recognise, family courts remain overstretched and deeply adversarial. Often better suited to resolving property disputes than emotional or relational ones.
For this change to truly protect children, we must move toward systems that prioritise early, collaborative, and trauma-informed approaches like mediation, child consultation, and co-parenting support.
Moving from conflict to connection
This policy reform represents hope. Hope that we’re finally centring children’s needs in a system long dominated by legal tradition. But it’s also a call to keep going.
At Civilised Separations, we help families navigate these emotional shifts with compassion and awareness. Whether through child-inclusive mediation, co-parenting support, or professional training, we focus on building systems, and families, where children feel safe, heard, and understood.
Because protecting children isn’t just about the absence of harm. It’s about creating environments where they can thrive after separation.
Explore our child-inclusive mediation services or book a free consultation to learn how we can help your family move from conflict to connection.
For more insights and resources, explore our website or listen to the full podcast episode at CivilisedSeparations.co.uk.
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Written by Mitch Wilkins
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/21/family-law-shift-hailed-as-victory-for-children-facing-domestic-abuse