Looking for answers to your family law FAQs? Navigating family law can often feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help. In this section, we’ve compiled the most common questions and clear, straightforward answers to help you understand your options and move forward with confidence
What’s the difference between barristers and solicitors?
Traditionally, barristers have represented clients in court, and solicitors have performed the preparatory work.
In recent years, the rules have changed, and barristers can now do more preparatory work and advise individuals without the involvement of a solicitor.
Can I employ a barrister without a solicitor?
Yes, members of the public can instruct a barrister directly without a solicitor.
Does a barrister only conduct court hearings?
No, given rule changes in recent years, barristers can advise people and prepare documents for them, for example, witness statements and application forms and help them write letters, as well as representing them in court hearings.
How do you charge for your work?
You, the client, will ask us to undertake a piece of work for you, for example – advising you during a meeting, representing you at a hearing, preparing a witness statement or preparing a kitchen table agreement, etc. We will then agree on a fixed fee with you. The fee will be paid in advance of us undertaking the work. We will then complete the work as agreed.
By working on a fixed-fee basis, you have clear control over your budget.
You decide how much work we do for you, and we will deliver just that, allowing you to manage your legal costs.
What will I have to do myself?
You will need to administer your case, e.g. send documents to the court office if there are court proceedings, write to the other side (although we can help you prepare the letter) and sort out the paperwork. In short, you will need to handle anything not requiring our legal expertise.
Do I need one solicitor dealing with both the children’s issues and the finances arising from my divorce/separation?
Generally speaking, no, you don’t. Because the care of the children has an impact on the division of the money, usually the arrangements for the care of the children are finalised first, and then the money is dealt with. Any solicitor or barrister acting for you in the money side of your separation or divorce would just need to know the arrangements for the children and have a copy of any court orders.
What is a barristers’ chambers?
A barristers’ chambers is a group of self-employed barristers who collect together to share their administration.
What factors affect our timescales?
When we are doing work for you, there are different factors that affect the timescales we give you.
These include your availability and promptness in replying to our emails and queries. We cannot begin your work until we have everything we need from you.
Other factors include our barristers’ availability, given their existing workload and the volume of work involved in doing your work.
Which areas of the country do you cover?
At Children in the Middle we cover most courts in England and Wales. If you’re not sure if we cover your area, please contact us
Our direct access barristers have always practised in the courts in the South West and South Wales, from Truro in the very south, to Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton, Bristol, Bath and Gloucester and west to Newport and Cardiff.
We regularly travel to London courts including Swindon, Reading, West London, East London and the Central Family Court.
In 2025 we expanded our team to cover all courts in the Midlands (Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Stafford and Telford) and the north west – all courts around Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Derby, Sheffield, Chester and North Wales – as far north as Carlisle.
Our coverage across most of the country makes sure more families can receive expert guidance from a family law barrister when they need it most.
Useful documents
Click here for useful documents
What are Pathfinder Courts?
Pathfinder Courts are part of an initiative in England and Wales aimed at transforming how private law children cases are handled in the family justice system. Pathfinder introduces a new process in the family court aimed at problem solving a to resolving disputes between parents. For more information see our blog
Solicitors and McKenzie Friends
We work alongside both solicitors and McKenzie Friends who are assisting their clients but are not formally acting for them. To refer a client, just contact us.
We also accept formal instructions from solicitors, using the traditional solicitor-counsel relationship.