There Must Be a Better Way: Thoughts on the Future of Family Law
President of the Family Division
Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, critiques the current state of UK family law and proposes necessary reforms, addressing issues from prenuptial agreements to child support.
This is the Annual Gray's Inn Reading 2026. The lecture was delivered within three months of Sir Andrew McFarlane’s retirement after 21 years on the Family Bench. Whilst the phrase ‘un-plugged’ may not be appropriate, it is anticipated that the lecturer will no longer feel restrained by judicial caution when commenting upon the future development of Family Justice. In addition to a focus on the future of adoption law and the need for significant reform in relation to the financial rights of cohabitants, the lecturer will use a perspective gained from 8 years as the judicial Head of Family Justice to offer suggestions for reform of the system itself.