Parents and children are spending less time in family court, thanks to a government pilot scheme intended to improve the process for families and support victims of domestic abuse. A recent evaluation by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) found that cases in the pilot areas have been reduced from an average of 29 weeks to just 18.
Violence Against Women and Girls Minister Alex Davies-Jones welcomed the findings, calling the shorter hearings and improved understanding of domestic abuse within family courts “encouraging.”
The Pathfinder pilot, launched in 2022 following a review of the family justice system, was introduced to address concerns that the courts were not adequately recognising abuse and that some child arrangements were unsafe. Initially tested in North Wales and Dorset, it has since expanded to Wales, Birmingham, and West Yorkshire.
Family courts handle cases where separated parents cannot agree on custody and caregiving arrangements, and child protection proceedings initiated by local authorities. Each year, around 46,000 private family law cases are heard in England and Wales.
The Pathfinder pilot aims to identify and address allegations of abuse early in the legal process, ensuring the child’s welfare remains the central focus. An independent evaluation involving 67 professionals in the court system found that families benefited from quicker case resolution and more child-focused proceedings. However, the evaluation also flagged challenges with staffing and resources.
Davies-Jones acknowledged the difficulties, saying, “The evaluation helps us understand what’s working and what needs improvement.” Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs said the findings offer “clear evidence” that the scheme should be expanded across all family courts in England and Wales.
As part of new transparency rules introduced last year, journalists are now able to report on family court proceedings, provided they maintain anonymity. BBC News followed one such case at Cardiff Family Court, where the mother raised allegations of domestic abuse, including coercive control, physical, and emotional harm.
The court upheld her claims, and the judge ruled that the child would live with the mother and have no contact with the father, who later withdrew his application for custody. The judge said the father would need to complete a perpetrator programme before he could resume legal proceedings.
Despite the court’s acknowledgement of the abuse, the mother described the experience as emotionally draining. “Abuse isn’t always obvious—it can be subtle, and it’s difficult to convey the full story in court,” she said. While she appreciated safety measures like separate entrances and a witness suite, she added that the process had been “exhausting.”
Not all feedback has been positive. Another parent involved in the Pathfinder pilot claimed their experience was deeply flawed. They said their abuse allegations were dismissed as “mere conflict” and felt they were treated worse than their abusive ex-partner. The BBC did not attend this case or verify the court records due to legal restrictions.
Davies-Jones said such accounts were “really hard to hear,” and emphasised that all experiences must be considered. “We’re evaluating the scheme to understand where it hasn’t worked and how we can do better. To anyone who’s felt let down—we hear you.”
Minister for Family Courts, Lord Ponsonby, confirmed the government’s commitment to continuing the rollout of Pathfinder. “Frontline staff are reporting that survivors feel safer, and children are better prioritised and protected—exactly what we set out to achieve.”
