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Navigating Family Law Episode 20 - Family Law or Criminal Law? (23 April 2026)
Date: 23/04/2026
In the latest episode of the Navigating Family Law Podcast, host Emily Reed, a Family Law Solicitor and Director at our Manchester and Stoke offices, explores a question that arises more often than many might expect: where does family law end and criminal law begin?
Family law and criminal law might appear to operate in entirely separate spheres, but in practice they frequently intersect. From cases involving neglect and non-accidental injuries to matters touching on drug and alcohol misuse, the two jurisdictions can run alongside each other — often with very different outcomes for the same set of facts.
This episode examines how these two areas connect, the way evidence is handled in each context, and the distinct approaches taken by the family court and the criminal court. While criminal courts focus on establishing guilt beyond reasonable doubt, family courts place the welfare of the child at the centre of every decision and that fundamental difference in purpose can lead to strikingly divergent results.
Our Guests
Kirstin Beswick
Barrister, Central Chambers Manchester — with extensive experience across both family law and the criminal jurisdiction.
Molly Jennings
Final-year law student at Lancaster University — offering a fresh perspective on how these two areas of law are taught and understood.
Together, the panel offers a rich, multi-perspective discussion that will be valuable for practitioners, students, and anyone seeking to understand how these two branches of law interact in the real world.
Listen Here: Navigating Family Law Podcast – Episode 20: Family Law or Criminal Law? Understanding the Legal Differences in the UK
About the Podcast
Navigating Family Law is brought to you by the award-winning Family & Child Care team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, named Family Law Firm of the Year (London) at the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2024. Each episode breaks down complex family law issues in plain English, combining expert insight with a compassionate and client-focused approach.
Emily Reed has extensive experience handling complex family law cases involving neglect, non-accidental injuries, and issues relating to drug and alcohol misuse.
Previous episodes, including Episode 19 (Parental Alienation) can also be found here
Need Legal Advice
If you are facing a matter where family and criminal law overlap, it is important to seek specialist advice as early as possible. At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, our experienced family law & child law solicitors can advise and represent you across both jurisdictions. You can reach out to our Emily Reed, on 020 7275 2777 or emilyr@duncanlewis.com, or contact Duncan Lewis Solicitors on 033 3772 0409.