Parental Alienation is “the putting down and belittling of one parent by the other”, and is usually carried out when warring couples wish to retain or gain residence of their children following a divorce or separation. Parental alienation will often be carried out by the resident parent, who will disparage the absent parent and put [...]

When couples divorce, for whatever reason, many don’t even think about having a Clean Break Order but this is a really important safeguard for the future. Few readers are probably aware that, without a Clean Break Order, if you are lucky enough to have your numbers come up on the National Lottery your ex-partner could [...]

On 3 November, businessman and economist David Norgrove published his final report into family proceedings. As part of this he made a number of recommendations, with the aim of improving the efficiency and quality of the family justice system. Background: The review panel was set up in February 2010 by the Ministry of Justice, Department [...]

Is the law biased against fathers seeking contact with their children? In child contact applications, the family process is not based on a rights perspective including mothers’, fathers’, or even children’s rights; rather the system is based on child welfare principles and therefore Judges will do what they perceive to be in the best interests [...]

Over the past twenty years there has been growing pressure for reform of the law surrounding cohabitation. The fact is simply that while marriage remains a popular choice, there is a growing trend for couples to live together long-term and raise families out of wedlock. Many believe the time for change has come and that [...]

The popular media is often awash with stories about parents trying to secure parental rights over their children, from ‘fathers for justice’ to failed asylum seekers and everyone in between. Indeed, no subject in the law is likely to raise more emotion than the question of a parent’s fundamental right to have a say in [...]