The Family Law Assistance and Self-Help Clinic

This event has ended.

Legal Aid is generally not available for private law cases involving children which means that, when there is a family breakdown, parents either have to pay for legal advice privately, or represent themselves (as litigants in person).

The Family Law Assistance and Self-Help Clinic based at Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics is here to help you navigate this difficult process.

Law students, supervised by trained and experienced legal practitioners, can provide you with the information you need to better understand court proceedings relating to disputes regarding your child’s care.

Information is shared across 3 workshops. The aim of the workshops is to help you feel more confident about the court process and equip you with the skills required to represent yourself. Students will share information on the court process, the legal principles that apply in children’s cases and the orders that the Family Court can make.

Workshop 1 - Resolving disagreements about a child
This workshop will look at alternatives to going to court, and how to make an application if you and your former partner cannot reach agreement.

Workshop 2 - The first hearing 
This workshop will focus on how to prepare for the first court hearing and what to expect when you go to court.

Workshop 3 - The final hearing 
This workshop will focus on how to prepare for a final hearing and the powers that the court has when deciding the future arrangements for a child’s care.

Please note: workshops will not deal with public law proceedings (i.e. where social services are involved with the family), as legal aid is usually available to obtain advice from a solicitor. Students cannot provide legal advice on individual cases.

The first workshop will take place on 15 February 2024. 

The workshops can be delivered either online or in-person at the Law Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX. Registration is essential. For further information on dates and to register your attendance, please contact the Pro Bono team at probono@cardiff.ac.uk