On 28 October 2026 the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) published a report on the rollout of Child Focused Courts. This is a new way of handling private family law cases about children, for example when separated parents cannot agree who the child should live with and how often they should see each parent.
The new model replaces the previous procedure (the Child Arrangements Programme). It aims to identify the risk of harm earlier, to engage directly with children more often and to support victims of domestic abuse – both adults and children – better. The court process is meant to be simpler.
The model already operates in 10 of the 42 family court areas: Dorset, North Wales, South East Wales, Birmingham, Mid and West Wales, West Yorkshire, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
From 17 November 2026 it will cover further areas: Coventry and Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Cheshire and Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Cleveland and South Durham, and Northumbria and North Durham. Later dates are not yet final. London is planned for the end of 2027. The government wants the model to operate in all areas by March 2029.
According to the report, in West Yorkshire cases are resolved in 19.6 weeks on average – 12 weeks faster than before. Children are engaged directly in 82% of cases in England and 87% in Wales, compared with 30–37% under the old system. £17 million has been allocated to 11 new areas in 2026/27.
What it means for you
If you are separating from your partner and a case about your children goes to court in one of these areas, your child is more likely to be heard and the court will assess the risk of abuse earlier. People experiencing domestic abuse should receive support from specialist organisations. Cases should also take less time.
Our assessment
The West Yorkshire figures are promising, and the 17 November expansion is already settled. Later dates, including for London, may still slip. Families in London and the south of England will be using the old procedure for some time yet.
What to do
- Before going to court, check whether mediation is possible: GOV.UK – making child arrangements after separation.
- If you are experiencing domestic abuse, say so at the start of the case – the new model is meant to give you support.
- Check in the report when the model will reach your area (link below).
Source: GOV.UK, Ministry of Justice / HMCTS – Child Focused Courts delivery update (28.10.2026).
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