Author Archive for: Jessica Susan Hill

Entries by Jessica Susan Hill

Contact With Your Child Has Stopped: What to Do Before the Family Court Treats It as the New Normal

Has contact with your child suddenly stopped, or is an existing child arrangements order no longer being followed? This guide explains why delay can make a safe parent-child relationship harder to repair, what evidence the court will examine, when enforcement may be appropriate and how litigants in person can prepare a clear, child-focused case.

Your Family Court Case Is Taking Too Long: How to Stop Delay Damaging Your Child and Your Position

Has your family court case stalled while your child’s life continues to change? This guide explains why delay matters, what the Children Act 1989 says, how to distinguish necessary delay from avoidable drift, and the practical steps litigants in person can take to protect their position and keep the court focused on the child.

Your Child Refuses Contact and Family Court Papers Have Arrived: What You Must Do Before Alleging “Parental Alienation”

Has your child stopped seeing you just as family court proceedings begin? This guide explains why allegations of “parental alienation” are not enough, what the court and Cafcass will examine, how domestic abuse and alienating behaviours are distinguished, and the practical steps a litigant in person can take to prepare a clear, evidence-based and child-focused case.

Family Court Papers Arrived? Don’t Panic — Here’s How to Get Organised Fast

When family court papers arrive, it can feel overwhelming — especially if you are representing yourself and facing a deadline. This article explains how litigants in person can move from panic to structure by identifying the key documents, organising evidence, preparing chronologies, understanding Cafcass or Section 7 material, and getting ready for the next hearing with a clearer plan.

Can We Trust AI With Family Court Documents? Open AI, Closed AI and the Legal Tech Divide

Open AI and closed AI are not just technical choices — in family law legal tech, they raise serious questions about privacy, safeguarding, transparency, accountability and trust. This article explores what the difference means for family court support, litigants in person, confidential documents, domestic abuse material and the future of human-led AI in access to justice.

Why Should the Victim Have to Leave? The Domestic Abuse Housing Reform That Could Change Everything

Survivors of domestic abuse should not have to choose between staying in danger and losing their home. This article looks at the Government’s proposed Social Housing Bill, the link between housing and coercive control, and why removing perpetrators — not uprooting victims — could be an important step for safety, stability and justice.

Can You Actually Get Legal Aid? The Family Court Access Crisis Behind the LAA’s New Provider Push

Legal aid may exist in theory, but many family court litigants cannot find a provider with capacity when they need help most. This article looks at the Legal Aid Agency’s new push for family legal aid providers, the reality of legal aid deserts, and what parents, survivors and litigants in person can do if they cannot secure representation before court.

Family Courts “Not Good Enough” for Women and Children? Why This Matters for Every Parent in England and Wales

A government minister has admitted that family courts in England and Wales are “not good enough” for women and children. This article examines what that means for litigants in person, domestic abuse survivors, and parents navigating private law children proceedings, including the rollout of Child Focused Courts and the proposed repeal of the presumption of parental involvement.