Government review of family law report could now see judges play an active role in divorced parents’ childcare arrangements
Plans to deny dads the right to see their children after divorce set out in November 2011 could now be scrapped. The Government is keen to see the courts ensure both parents have access to their children, with judges playing an active role in how this is played out. David Norgrove’s report in November suggested there was too much pressure on judges to dictate the time children spent with their parents. However, ministers, reportedly including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, are eager to help ensure children have a relationship with both parents. With one in three children, roughly 3.8 million, thought to have an absent father, campaign groups welcome this move. Many are happy to see a move away from the vast majority of family court cases which, according to the Telegraph, usually rule in the mothers’ favour. Nadine O’Connor, campaign director for Fathers4Justice believes this is a “massive step forward”. The new changes could see parents face potential fines and jail sentences if they prevent former partners seeing their children. Tim Loughton, the children’s minister, explains that all the evidence points towards the fact that kids benefit from having a relationship with their mum and dad, regardless of the parents’ relationship to each other.
