Families across Essex and Suffolk continue to face pressure in the family court system, following the publication of the latest Family Court Statistics Quarterly today (18 December) by the Ministry of Justice.
The new figures (for the period July–September 2025) follow the previous quarterly release (April–June 2025), which showed a notable rise in financial remedy applications and ongoing delays across divorce and children cases. While the latest statistics suggest some areas of the system are beginning to stabilise, overall demand on the courts remains high, and many families are still experiencing lengthy and stressful proceedings.
Commenting on the latest data, Anna Cross, Legal Director in Ellisons’ Family Law Team, said: “These figures continue to reflect what we see day-to-day in practice. While there are signs that some parts of the system are adjusting, families are still facing delays that can have a significant emotional and financial impact. Even small improvements in court timeliness can take time to filter through to families.”
The Ministry of Justice data indicates that family courts continue to manage a substantial volume of private law, financial remedy and divorce cases, following sustained demand throughout 2025. While reforms and operational changes are ongoing, the system remains under pressure.
Anna, who is a Resolution accredited specialist, emphasised that court proceedings are not the only option for separating families: “The courts remain essential in some cases, but families should also be aware of the growing range of Non-Court Dispute Resolution options available. Mediation, Collaborative Law and Resolution Together (where one solicitor can work with both parties jointly) can offer a quicker, more constructive and more private way to resolve issues.”
She added that these alternatives can often reduce conflict and help families reach workable solutions sooner: “We regularly see families resolve matters in weeks or months through non-court methods, rather than waiting years for litigation to conclude.”
Anna concluded: “Across Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich, court pressures are still being felt. Mediation and other Non-Court Dispute Resolution approaches allow families to take back control, reduce stress and reach outcomes that work for them and their children.”
