The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 imposed a Disability Equality Duty on all public authorities from December 2006 and makes an understanding of discrimination law vital for anybody who undertakes public law cases.

The Adoption and Children Act 2002 is also now in force. Special Guardianship, Residence Orders and Adoption are all options available in private and public law cases - as the first cases reach the Court of Appeal, how are they being approached? What of step-parent adoption/parental responsibility for the new partner?