Family law
Fact checks including family courts, fostering, adoption and children’s medical treatment
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.
Read more…
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.
Read more…
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.
Read more…
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 …
Read more…
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. …
Read more…
The legal system, explained: the Family Court
The venue for legal disputes over marriage and children in England and Wales.
Read more…
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?
Read more…
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?
Read more…
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.
Read more…
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.
Read more…
Full Fact fights bad information
Bad information ruins lives. It promotes hate, damages people’s health, and hurts democracy. You deserve better.