On Wednesday the 20th January 2010 the government announced a major review into the Family Justice System as part of their Families and Relationship Green Paper. It proposes that Fathers and Grandparents will have greater access to children after separation.
A new guide will be given to fathers before their child’s birth to encourage them to play a bigger role in their children’s early lives. The Green Paper also announces new measures on improving flexible working for parents, especially fathers. This includes a possibility of doubling paternity leave from 2 weeks to 4, and allowing parents to split parental leave between them.
Increased mediation support will also be offered to separating parents to prevent and reduce disputes.
Grandparents are also to be given extra recognition, with an automatic right to gain access to their grandchildren when contact is denied after divorce and family breakdowns. A new website will be launched – BeGrand – to provide advice and act as a contact point for grandparents.
Beth Woodward and Mary McEvoy are member of the Grandparents Association which offers support and advice to grandparents. Beth comments “Grandparents have so much to offer their grandchildren. Currently they have to apply to court for permission to apply for a contact order and satisfy the court that their application is in the best interests of their grandchildren. This proposal is a step in the right direction. Additionally, as experienced family law solicitors who have witnessed the repercussions on children of contact disputes, we also welcome the increased mediation support and emphasis on the need for children to have good quality relationships with both parents and extended families.”
Meanwhile Conservatives published their “Green Paper on the Family” on the 22nd January 2010. The research, published by Iain Duncan-Smith’s think tank the Centre for Social Justice, shows only 3 per cent of couples with children who stay together until the child is 16 are unmarried. In addition the dossier says about 40 per cent of children experience family breakdown, a far higher figure than previously thought.
If you are seeking child focused advice and solutions following relationship breakdown please contact Mary McEvoy, Beth Woodward or John Walsh our family lawyers who will be pleased to help.
