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05 June 2026 / Rachel Fisher
Issue: 8164 / Categories: Features , Family , International , Divorce , Child law , Jurisdiction
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When the domestic goes global

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© Getty images
Rachel Fisher explores how globalisation is reshaping family law
  • Increasingly international families, cross-border assets and global mobility are reshaping family law, creating complex disputes over jurisdiction, finances and child arrangements.
  • As divorce and separation become more international, family lawyers must work across legal systems and alongside financial and global advisers to secure fair outcomes for clients.

Family law is the most personal area of law. Lawyers in this sector work with people going through some of the most emotionally charged and legally and practically complex times in their lives. Divorce and separation are rarely smooth sailing, and the legal processes involve several hurdles for clients to overcome.

Complications often focus on the financial aspects. Marriage is, at the core, a contract which legally binds not only the couple but their assets and wealth. Coming to a point, possibly after many years of sharing a life together, where money must be divided according to needs and fairness, often causes tensions. The other aspect is children. Where child

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NEWS
The Court of Appeal has overturned the convictions of five Barclays LIBOR/EURIBOR traders—demonstrating the dangers of removing jury trial from serious fraud cases, according to a solicitor acting in the case
Lawyers have welcomed the Lord Chancellor’s reverse-ferret on jury reforms, but expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the decision to exclude fraud trials
From ‘rats in the robing room’ to ‘overworked’ judges and a shortage of court staff, barristers have aired their concerns about the state of the justice system
The use of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) poses ‘significant risks’ across the justice system, public services and government, and current regulation is ‘poorly suited’ to control it, experts have warned
The solicitors’ regulator has paused controversial plans to exclude owner-managers from compliance officer roles
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