Updated guidelines in England and Wales emphasize the importance of domestic abuse allegations over claims of ‘parental alienation’ in family court disputes. The Family Justice Council highlights that the concept of parental alienation, often used as a defense by accused abusers, lacks scientific backing and can misrepresent the complexities of such cases. With over half of private law cases involving domestic abuse claims, the courts face challenges in addressing accusations that can affect children’s lives profoundly.