What is family law for?

In recent years the laws of England and Wales have undergone changes which fundamentally alter how foundational family relationships – partnerships and parenthood – are defined and recognised. In addition, the ways in which people use the family justice system is changing as old and new forms of alternative dispute resolution are promoted. Further change seems inevitable given the remit of the Family Justice Review which is currently underway and proposed significant changes to the legal aid framework. Change on this scale raises important questions and diverging views about the role of family law and the family justice system in modern society and begs the question, what is family law for? In an attempt to focus discussion on this question, this paper will explore and synthesise some of the views expressed by judges, academics, and policy makers. It will combine a synthesis of the areas of overlap and departure in these views with discussion of the direction in which change is moving to present a contemporary overview of the purpose of family law