Family court
Family law is the area of law that deals with:
- Public law - local authority intervention to protect children;
- Private law - parental disputes concerning the upbringing of children;
- Matrimonial cases - divorces, annulments and separations;
- Financial remedy (formerly known as 'ancillary relief') - financial provisions after divorce or relationship breakdown;
- Domestic violence remedy orders;
- Forced marriage protection orders;
- Female genital mutilation protection orders;
- Adoption;
- The Mental Capacity Act; and
- Probate
See family court statistics at MOJ for further information.
These measures show the annual total number of cases starting in family courts in England and Wales.
Family court - total cases started
Total cases started at family court.
| Period | Family court - total cases started |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 263,669 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 265,919 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 265,547 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 241,468 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 244,819 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 255,854 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 255,391 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 263,579 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 267,148 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 265,806 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 266,182 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 269,124 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 262,595 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 261,774 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 270,450 |
Jan - Dec 2025
270,450
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 71,259 estimated cases started at family court.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Family court - total cases disposed
Total cases disposed at family court.
| Period | Family court - total cases disposed |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 233,918 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 235,146 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 240,210 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 247,028 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 220,426 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 228,097 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 225,923 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 213,121 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 233,117 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 225,109 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 249,046 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 203,936 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 235,416 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 246,485 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 243,583 |
Jan - Dec 2025
243,583
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 63,668 estimated cases disposed at family court.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Children Act - public law
Public law - local authority intervention to protect children (annual total number of cases starting).
| Period | Children Act - public law |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 15,257 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 15,646 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 15,360 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 15,118 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 16,229 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 19,209 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 19,389 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 19,307 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 18,634 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 18,261 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 16,677 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 16,543 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 15,553 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 15,979 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 16,396 |
Jan - Dec 2025
16,396
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 4,160 estimated cases started.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Children Act - private law
Private law - parental disputes concerning the upbringing of children (annual total number of cases starting).
| Period | Children Act - private law |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 49,108 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 52,108 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 54,730 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 42,307 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 43,353 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 48,363 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 51,033 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 52,320 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 55,503 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 55,811 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 54,727 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 52,159 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 50,843 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 51,494 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 55,321 |
Jan - Dec 2025
55,321
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 15,534 estimated cases started.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Matrimonial matters
Matrimonial cases - divorces, annulments and separations (annual total number of cases starting).
| Period | Matrimonial matters |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2006 | 147,754 |
| Jan - Dec 2007 | 136,685 |
| Jan - Dec 2008 | 129,321 |
| Jan - Dec 2009 | 132,543 |
| Jan - Dec 2010 | 133,868 |
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 129,832 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 125,068 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 118,280 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 113,281 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 115,205 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 114,739 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 109,931 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 119,069 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 117,360 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 113,722 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 109,116 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 123,151 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 113,969 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 111,326 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 110,844 |
Jan - Dec 2025
110,844
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 28,766 estimated cases started.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Financial remedies
Financial remedy (formerly known as 'ancillary relief') - financial provisions after divorce or relationship breakdown (annual total number of cases starting).
| Period | Financial remedies |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2006 | 60,630 |
| Jan - Dec 2007 | 57,198 |
| Jan - Dec 2008 | 50,915 |
| Jan - Dec 2009 | 45,445 |
| Jan - Dec 2010 | 45,748 |
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 41,345 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 42,636 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 42,666 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 37,422 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 37,739 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 41,356 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 42,151 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 39,997 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 39,350 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 37,754 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 46,344 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 37,665 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 42,384 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 43,865 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 47,507 |
Jan - Dec 2025
47,507
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 12,573 estimated cases started.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Domestic violence remedy orders
Domestic violence remedy orders (annual total number of cases starting).
| Period | Domestic violence remedy orders |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 17,036 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 17,293 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 19,709 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 20,256 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 19,469 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 19,998 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 21,143 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 21,321 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 25,342 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 30,647 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 30,241 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 31,054 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 30,353 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 29,491 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 30,676 |
Jan - Dec 2025
30,676
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 7,782 estimated cases started.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Forced marriage protection
Forced marriage protection orders (annual total number of cases starting).
Jan - Dec 2025
349
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 120 estimated cases started.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Female genital mutilation protection
Female genital mutilation protection orders (annual total number of cases starting).
Jan - Dec 2025
107
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 Mar 2026 there were 32 estimated cases started.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
All Adoption Act
All Adoption Act (annual total number of cases starting), as defined under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, including placement, adoption, along with other non-adoption orders including revocation of placement, change of surname and removal from the UK.
| Period | All Adoption Act |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 11,091 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 13,168 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 14,802 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 13,084 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 12,824 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 12,189 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 11,744 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 11,103 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 10,398 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 9,232 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 8,791 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 8,170 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 8,476 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 7,972 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 7,810 |
Jan - Dec 2025
7,810
Update Mar 2025
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 1,899 estimated cases started.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Applications made under the Mental Capacity Act 2005
Applications made under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
A new data system came into effect in July 2024 (Cris). As such, data for 2024 does not cover a full year, and data published prior to this point has been archived.
Jan - Mar 2026
11,351
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
High Court Deprivation of Liberty
Deprivation of Liberty cases starting in the High Court.
Jan - Mar 2026
393
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Probate service - applications for grants of representation
Number of applications made for grants of representation in non-contentious probate proceedings.
| Period | Probate service - applications for grants of representation |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 254,599 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 272,111 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 254,602 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 285,135 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 261,251 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 286,371 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 269,074 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 269,343 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 273,246 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 282,856 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 292,252 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 302,881 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 299,427 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 304,962 |
Jan - Dec 2025
304,962
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 March 2026 there were 81,069 estimated applications made.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.
Office of the Public Guardian - total power of attorney applications registered
Total registered applications for powers of attorney in England and Wales.
| Period | Office of the Public Guardian - total power of attorney applications registered |
|---|---|
| Jan - Dec 2008 | 57,997 |
| Jan - Dec 2009 | 96,803 |
| Jan - Dec 2010 | 147,605 |
| Jan - Dec 2011 | 193,424 |
| Jan - Dec 2012 | 241,769 |
| Jan - Dec 2013 | 273,448 |
| Jan - Dec 2014 | 366,761 |
| Jan - Dec 2015 | 458,162 |
| Jan - Dec 2016 | 611,490 |
| Jan - Dec 2017 | 695,903 |
| Jan - Dec 2018 | 737,497 |
| Jan - Dec 2019 | 842,777 |
| Jan - Dec 2020 | 677,760 |
| Jan - Dec 2021 | 715,104 |
| Jan - Dec 2022 | 851,709 |
| Jan - Dec 2023 | 1,167,529 |
| Jan - Dec 2024 | 1,495,685 |
| Jan - Dec 2025 | 1,336,626 |
Jan - Dec 2025
1,336,626
Update Mar 2026
In the 3 months to 31 Mar 2026 there were 367,536 estimated applications registered.
Data source
The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Family court statistics quarterly publication.
Publication date
Published: 25 June 2026. Next publication: 24 September 2026 9:30am.