Get the facts on family law

18 February 2020

Justice spending is down 25% since 2010, not 40%

The government did announce a real terms reduction of 40% to the Ministry of Justice but ultimately reduced funding by 25% between 2010/11 and 2019/20.

1 February 2018

How sweet is sixteen? Legal age limits in England and Wales

You’re legally a child until the age of 18, but the minimum legal age is 16 for some things.

20 November 2017

Has the government banned the term 'pregnant woman'?

The term 'pregnant woman' is not being banned by the government. It’s not even being discouraged.

7 September 2017

The Tower Hamlets fostering case: should we trust the news or trust a judge?

Media reports suggested a white Christian girl was taken from her family and made to live with a family who didn't speak English. How do we find out if this is accurate?

7 March 2017

The courts and children’s medical treatment

A High Court judge will decide whether Charlie Gard, a baby being kept alive on artificial ventilation, will continue to be kept alive or have his life support switched off. Why is it up to a judge?

28 February 2017

The legal system, explained: the Family Court

The venue for legal disputes over marriage and children in England and Wales.

15 September 2016

A tale of two courts

Why would a judge's finding that someone killed their child be kept secret from the jury trying his case?

5 September 2016

Did a judge say public money is being 'squandered' on lawyers?

Several outlets report that the most senior family court judge in England and Wales says that public money is being "squandered" on lawyers. Did he?

2 November 2015

Are we unusual in permitting non-consensual adoption?

Senior judges say that England and Wales is unusual in permitting non-consensual, or "forced", adoption. Academic research tells a subtly different story.

24 July 2015

The "too old to adopt their granddaughter" myth

A widely reported story about a judge refusing to allow a child to live with her grandparents, because they were too old, is proved wrong by the judgment.

Fact checks

Campaigns

Policy

Full Fact AI

About

Family law

Justice spending is down 25% since 2010, not 40%

How sweet is sixteen? Legal age limits in England and Wales

Has the government banned the term 'pregnant woman'?

The Tower Hamlets fostering case: should we trust the news or trust a judge?

The courts and children’s medical treatment

The legal system, explained: the Family Court

A tale of two courts

Did a judge say public money is being 'squandered' on lawyers?

Are we unusual in permitting non-consensual adoption?

The "too old to adopt their granddaughter" myth

Full Fact fights bad information