Family Court Sitting Days to Be Cut in 2026: What It Means for You

For anyone going through a divorce or separation, the family court system can already feel stretched to its limits. A recent announcement, however, suggests the outlook is set to get even tougher. 

The decision to cancel a number of family court sitting days from 2026 will have a direct impact on families, leading to:

• Delays to hearings
• Final hearings adjourned at the last minute
• Thousands of pounds in wasted legal costs
• Increased stress and anxiety for families who are already going through difficult times

What’s going on?

The President of the Family Division has confirmed that from 2026, fewer sitting days will be allocated to family law cases. This is part of a wider reshuffle of judicial resources, where a shortage of judges means court time is re-prioritised. Unfortunately, this means that scheduled days for financial remedy hearings (which deal with the division of money and assets) will be cut.

Why this matters

1. The risk of last-minute cancellations

The most immediate risk is the last-minute cancellation of hearings. We see clients invest enormous time, money, and emotional energy preparing for a final hearing, organising childcare, taking time off work, and paying for their legal team, only to be told days before, or even on the morning of the hearing, that it has been “taken out of the list”. 

2. Rising costs

Every delay has a direct financial impact. Legal teams may have to prepare all over again, a barrister’s brief fee can be incurred again, and expert reports may go out of date, all adding to the final bill. These are real, avoidable costs.

3. A two-tier system

This pushes those with the means toward private options, creating a two-tier system: a faster route for those who can afford to pay, and a slower one for those who must rely on the public courts. 

4. The human impact

Family cases aren’t just numbers in a diary. They involve children’s futures, people’s homes, and financial security. Delays prolong uncertainty at the very time families most need stability.

What are the alternatives?

While the public family courts remain the default route, it’s worth knowing about other options:

• Mediation – a trained mediator helps both parties to negotiate and reach an agreement together.
• Arbitration – similar to a private judge, you pick someone qualified to make a binding decision.
• Private FDRs (Financial Dispute Resolution hearings) – a private, court-style negotiation with a senior barrister or judge-equivalent, often faster and less stressful.

These routes have an upfront cost, but they can often save thousands in wasted court prep if your hearing is cancelled.

What can you do if you’re heading to court?

If court proceedings are unavoidable, we advise clients to:

• Ask your solicitor early about the risks of adjournment and cancellation.
• Factor in uncertainty when budgeting for costs and timelines.
• Explore alternatives – even if you end up in court, knowing your options is empowering.
• Keep communication open with your former partner; a fair settlement reached between you is often better than waiting years for a contested trial.

A system under pressure

The planned cancellation of family court sitting days in 2026 is more than an administrative tweak; it fundamentally threatens access to justice. Families already navigating stress and conflict now face added risks of delay, wasted money, and prolonged uncertainty. Without significant investment, this reshuffle threatens to push our overstretched family justice system to its breaking point.