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In this episode of the Legal Chat podcast from Warners Solicitors, host Paul Harvey is joined by Matthew Aves, Head of the Family Law Team, for an honest and practical look at how the family justice system is operating today. Together, they explore the realities of court delays across the UK, why more individuals are choosing self-representation, and the growing—and often risky—trend of using AI tools like ChatGPT for legal arguments and document preparation. Matthew shares real-world insights into why generic online advice can often backfire, the emotional and financial cost of court backlogs on families and children, and how alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and early legal advice can help you navigate separation far more effectively. In this episode, we discuss: Court Delays: Why wait times vary dramatically by region and what it means for families.Self-Representation & Legal Aid: The broader impact of removing legal aid on court efficiency.The AI Pitfall: Why relying on online### Episode Title Navigating Family Law: Delays, Self-Representation, and the Limits of AI

Moving home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make, but the conveyancing process can often feel complex, time-consuming and stressful. In this episode of Legal Chat from Warner’s Solicitors, Paul Harvey is joined by Jane Bohill, Partner and Head of Residential Property at Warner’s, to explore what has changed in the property market and what buyers and sellers need to know. Jane explains why property transactions have become more complex, what commonly causes delays, how leasehold and environmental considerations can affect a purchase, and why preparation and communication are key to keeping a transaction on track. The conversation also looks at why choosing a conveyancer based on price alone may not always be the best decision, and the questions buyers and sellers should ask before instructing a solicitor. Whether you’re planning to move soon or simply want to understand the conveyancing process better, this episode offers practical advice to help you save time, money and stress.

Inheritance Tax is changing, and many more families could be affected than they realise. In this episode of Legal Chat, host Paul Harvey is joined by Richard Theobald, Partner in Warners Solicitors' Private Client team, to explain the major inheritance tax changes announced following the October 2024 Budget and what they could mean for individuals, families, business owners and farmers. Together they discuss: Why inheritance tax is no longer just an issue for the very wealthyThe impact of pensions becoming subject to inheritance tax from April 2027Changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property ReliefCommon myths around gifting and the seven-year ruleWhy reviewing your will, pension nominations and estate planning has never been more importantHow solicitors and financial advisers can work together to help families plan effectivelyWhether you've made a will years ago, have built up pension savings, own a family business, or simply want to understand how the latest changes could affect your loved ones, this episode provides practical guidance to help you stay informed and plan ahead. Legal Chat is the podcast from Warners Solicitors, offering clear, practical insights into the legal issues that affect individuals, families and businesses.

If you employ people in the UK, the Employment Rights Act 2025 is not background noise; it is a live set of employment law reforms that will change how you hire, manage, and retain staff. In this episode, we sit down with Louise Brenland, who leads the employment law team at Warners Solicitors, to translate the headlines into practical reality for employers. We talk through what has already changed from April 2026, including the new Fair Work Agency and what day-one statutory sick pay means for absence management. We then unpack the biggest risk shift: unfair dismissal moving from a two-year qualifying period to six months from January, alongside the move towards unlimited compensation, and why that forces a rethink of probation, performance processes, and documentation. Looking ahead, we map the reforms expected through late 2026 and 2027, including extended employment tribunal time limits, tougher sexual harassment duties, third-party harassment risk, and stricter expectations around flexible working. Louise also explains why relying on AI and quick online answers can backfire when the law is changing fast, and why manager training is a necessity, not a nice-to-have. If you found this useful, subscribe to Legal Chat, share the episode with a colleague, and leave us a review. What change is most likely to disrupt your workplace this year?

Ever wondered about the intricacies of the Children's Act and its impact on families undergoing divorce or separation? We sat down with Julie Dan, an Associate at Warners Solicitors specialising in family law, and got down to the nitty-gritty. Julie, with her vast knowledge and firsthand experience, guides us through the Children's Act of 1989 and 2004, highlighting their differences, aims, and how they have influenced child protection policies in the UK. She also shared personal accounts where the Act has left a significant impact on families, both positively and negatively. Our enlightening conversation with Julie doesn't stop there. We venture into the realm of potential changes to the Act, discussing the need for procedural modifications and a greater emphasis on certain areas during court proceedings. Julie's insights extend to the guiding principles of the Children's Act, underscoring the belief that children are best cared for in their family home without the need for court intervention. Embark on this insightful journey with us, and gain a deeper understanding of the legal complexities surrounding child welfare and protection. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with the brilliant Julie Dan.

What if the most valuable asset in your divorce was something you barely gave a thought to? Unravel this as Charles Tennant, a specialist in family law from Warners Solicitors, takes us through the intricate, and often misunderstood, world of pensions and divorce. Charles expertly demystifies the complexities around how pensions are divided during a divorce, revealing the ins and outs of options like pension sharing, pension offsetting, and the seldom-used pension attachment. He sheds light on why understanding the real value of your pension is pivotal, and how different pension types can alter the financial outcome of a divorce.  Immerse yourself in the controversial issue of dividing pensions accrued before marriage, and learn how recent case laws could potentially affect you. Charles also offers his insights on whether state pensions are usually subject to division, and the complexities surrounding final salary pensions. He stresses the importance of seeking professional advice when dealing with large pensions during a divorce. If you're venturing into the world of divorce and pensions, this episode is a treasure trove of information that could impact your financial future. This is not just about understanding the division of assets, it's about learning how to safeguard your financial stability. Tune in now, and arm yourself with knowledge that could significantly influence your tomorrow.

Uncovering the issues within the family court system, we venture into an illuminating discussion with our Family Law Partner, Keith Unger from Warners Solicitors. We dissect the various challenges currently distressing the system, be it frequent adjournments, administrative shortcomings or the recent digital shift for filing documents. Keith unravels these obstacles with real-life anecdotes, demonstrating how they impact, delay and complicate court proceedings, often leaving his clients emotionally and financially drained. But we're not just here to dwell on the issues - we're also exploring viable alternatives. With Keith, we journey through the labyrinth of alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration. These non-court solutions, though not without their challenges, might just hold the key to expedite the resolution process, saving both time and money. Prepare to gain a deeper understanding of the family court system intricacies and arm yourself with valuable advice should you ever find yourself navigating its complex corridors.

In this episode of Legal Chat, Charles Tenant talks about no-fault divorce, one year on from the law change. The divorce process has dramatically changed in the last 20 years, traditional paperwork filled with legal jargon is no longer needed and its now as simple as filling out an online form on GOV.UK.  Charles discusses some of the benefits and negatives of the no-fault divorce system as well as providing advice for anyone currently going through, or considering the divorce process.

In this episode of Legal Chat, Louise Brenlund talks about Employment Law and shares an insight into her role as Head of Employment Law as well as providing details on some of her most interesting cases.

In this episode Kate Barker, an associate in the Private Client team at Warners Solicitors discusses LPA's and some of the common questions asked about this.

Fiona Taylor, a partner in the Probate and Estates team at Warners Solicitors explores what probate is and looks at common problems that can arise when administering an estate.

Charles Tennant, a partner in the Family Law team at Warners Solicitors explores what a prenuptial agreement is and why couples should consider making a prenuptial agreement.

Mathew Aves a partner in the Family Law team at Warners Solicitors discusses the new updates to the 'No Fault Divorce'.

In this episode, Matthew Aves talks about the upcoming changes to divorce law including the new 'no-fault' divorce. Matthew answers some of the most commonly asked questions such as:  What are the upcoming changes and what is 'no-fault' divorce.How is it different to the current process and why does divorce law need to reform?Will there be any changes to the amount of time it takes to get divorced?If one party doesn’t want to get divorced, will they be able to contest it?What about dealing with finances what is the current process, and will this be affected by the changes?Are there any drawbacks with no-fault divorce?When will these changes happen?Matthew is a partner in the family department at Warners Solicitors.