Rhian Williams, Author at Johnson Astills

Sara Sharif, murdered by her Father and Step-Mother, failed by the Family Court? What needs to change?

The Ministry of Justice could come under pressure to fund and accelerate the expansion of ‘Pathfinder Courts’, following an independent review of the murder of 10 year old Sara Sharif, published by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review,

Government to consider changes to Cohabitation Law? Why is this a big deal and what it means for you.

The Government has faced increasing pressure to confirm its plans for reform of its cohabitation law, to strengthen the rights and protections offered to those in cohabiting relationships. More people are living together without marrying. There are

Government Action to Protect Children from Abusive Parents in the Family Courts?

Every child involved in court proceedings deserves to be safe. However, new evidence published on 21st October 2025 shows that assuming it is always in the best interest of a child to have the involvement of both

Landmark Package to Pursue Domestic Abuse Perpetrators

On 16th July 2025, the Home Office unveiled a £53million landmark package aimed squarely at the most dangerous domestic abuse perpetrators across England and Wales. The goal of the package is to tackle domestic abuse at its source,

What is the Drive Partnership, the Drive Project and what does this have to do with Domestic Abuse?

The Drive Partnership is a partnership between Respect, Safelives and Social Finance. Respect: a membership organisation leading the development of safe and effective work with perpetrators, male victims, and young people using violence in their close relationships. Safelives: is

Why the Family Justice System is facing delays and what this means for Legal Aid and families.

In recent years, the Family Justice System in England and Wales has faced increasing pressure and delays within family proceedings have become more common. These delays are significantly affecting families by way of uncertainty in respect of

Domestic Abuse is a national emergency, with a deadly impact.

Every life lost following domestic abuse leaves behind a family heartbroken. For too long these deaths have been treated as ‘unavoidable tragedies’, but they are not.’ – Julie Devey, Chair of Killed Women (organisation and network for

Gisele Pelicot and the intersection with Domestic Abuse

Gisele Pelicot is a name that, in certain circles, is associated with personal strength and resilience. She has recently emerged as a symbol of survival, particularly by those affected by Domestic Abuse. Her journey intersects with issues

Parental Alienation

What the 2024 Family Justice Council Guidance means for future Court cases Over recent years, the term Parental Alienation has become increasingly common, especially within Court proceedings relating to children. Allegations of alienating behaviours are often (but

Sean Combs, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Diddy. Diddy… or didn’t he?

Amid the current whirlwind of controversial allegations that surround Sean Combs, the backdrop to his behaviour has a prolonged history of allegations of domestic violence and abuse dating back to the 90’s. In November 2023, Cassandra Ventura

Raneem’s Law: A Groundbreaking Step Towards Tackling Violence and Abuse.

On 20th September 2024, the Home Office announced new measures aimed at improving their response to domestic violence within the Police. These measures form part of Raneem’s Law, a legislation announced in response to the failures leading

Happy 3rd Anniversary – Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Four years after the domestic abuse bill was first promised in the late Queen’s speech in 2017, it finally became law on the 30th April 2021. The act further improves the effectiveness of the Justice system, providing

No Pride in Domestic Abuse.

Approximately 25% of people in the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender community suffer from Domestic Abuse within relationships. However, it is considered that domestic abuse within these communities is underreported, as the persons are fearful that their