Navigating Pet Disputes in Family Law - Strategic Guidance & Practical Tools Explored

Introduction

This virtual classroom seminar offers family law practitioners a clear, practical guide to one of the fastest growing and most emotionally charged issues in modern family practice: what happens to the family pet when a relationship breaks down. As pets are increasingly regarded as family members rather than mere property, disputes about their future care, ownership, and welfare are becoming more common and more complex.

In addition to examining the current domestic legal position, the live session will look at emerging developments internationally and the growing recognition of pets within family justice systems abroad.

This live session will provide you with the legal framework, strategic guidance, and practical tools needed to navigate these cases effectively and sensitively.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• The legal status of pets in divorce proceedings in England and Wales
• The court’s approach to pets in this context
• Relevant caselaw
• NCDR
• Pet nups
• Overseas comparators
• The Working Group on Pets on Divorce and Separation
• The case for reform

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.