The Truth About Using ChatGPT for Family Court as a Litigant in Person
As more litigants in person turn to ChatGPT and AI tools for help with family court proceedings, the justice system is being forced to confront a new reality. This in-depth JSH Law article explores what ChatGPT genuinely does well, where it becomes dangerous, what guidance solicitors and barristers have been given about AI, and whether courts are beginning to regulate its use.
May 20, 2026/by jessica susan hillFamily Court Burnout: The Hidden Mental Health Crisis Facing Litigants in Person
Family court proceedings can take a devastating toll on the mental health of litigants in person. This article explores the hidden emotional cost of navigating C100 applications, C1A allegations, CAFCASS involvement and hearings without support — and why practical procedural guidance can make a significant difference.
May 19, 2026/by jessica susan hillLegal Tech for Litigants in Person: The Tools That Can Help You Survive Court Without a Solicitor
A practical JSH Law guide to the legal tech, AI tools, court resources, evidence apps and support platforms that can help litigants in person prepare more effectively.
May 19, 2026/by jessica susan hillCoercive Control Is Not “High Conflict”: How Legal Technology Could Help Victims Build Watertight Evidence
Coercive control is not “high conflict”. It is a pattern of domination, fear and control. This article examines the law, conviction gap, child victim status, evidential challenges and how legal technology could help litigants in person build stronger, clearer coercive control evidence in family court.
May 19, 2026/by jessica susan hillHow Did We Get Here? The Family Court Crisis and Children in the Middle | JSH Law
The family court is in crisis, and children are paying the price. This article explores how legal aid cuts, delay, rising numbers of litigants in person, safeguarding pressures, Cafcass demand, domestic abuse concerns and procedural complexity have created a system that too often leaves families overwhelmed and children waiting.
May 19, 2026/by jessica susan hillShocking, But Not Surprising: What the Latest Family Court Figures Reveal About Parents Going It Alone
Cafcass recorded 42,172 new private law children’s cases involving 63,879 children between April 2025 and March 2026. At the same time, the Law Society reports that in 47% of private family law cases in 2025, both parties appeared without lawyers. This article explores what those figures mean for parents representing themselves in child arrangements proceedings — and why practical, court-ready support matters.
May 14, 2026/by jessica susan hillPreparing Your Case Like a Barrister: A Practical Guide for Litigants in Person
Most litigants in person are never taught how to prepare a case. This article explains how barrister-style preparation can help family court users read the papers properly, identify the real issues, organise evidence, prepare chronologies and write position statements that help the court understand what matters.
May 9, 2026/by jessica susan hillNon-Fatal Strangulation: Why Family Courts Must Treat It as a Lethal Risk Warning
Non-fatal strangulation is one of the clearest warning signs of escalating danger in domestic abuse and intimate partner violence. This article explains why family courts, Cafcass, professionals and litigants in person must treat strangulation as a serious safeguarding issue, not an isolated incident or ordinary parental conflict.
May 7, 2026/by jessica susan hillUSEFUL LINKS
If you are representing yourself in family court, the following independent and authoritative resources may assist you in understanding procedure, safeguarding processes, and available support.
- – GOV.UK – Family Court Guidance
- – HM Courts & Tribunals Service – Court Forms & Fees
- – Cafcass – Understanding Cafcass
- – Advicenow – Practical Guides for LiPs
- – McKenzie Friends Official Guidance
- – Support Through Court
- – Rights of Women – Family Law & Abuse Guidance
- – Family Law in the 21st Century (Baroness Hale)
- – Inside the UK Supreme Court
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