Children Law – Preventing Contact

A survey of 1,500 people carried out for the counselling group Relate has found that 32% of separated mothers thought that they alone had the right to make decisions about their children’s future.   This is more than double than the number of men who thought the same.

This study comes at a time where there is deepening concern expressed by fathers, the courts and authorities about the absence of fathers in their children’s lives and how to deal with cases with intransigent mothers. This of course links with my recent blog regarding the powers of the courts to enforce contact orders. That study found that the court does have sufficient powers to deal with parents who breach contact orders but these types of cases are exceptionally difficult for the Courts to deal with.

Last month, High Court Judge Mrs Justice Parker set down her judgment that warned social workers that, “Parents who obstruct the relationship with either mother or father are inflicting untold damage on their children and it is about time the professionals truly understood this.”

A further recent case highlighted that the Courts often do not address this issue when it becomes apparent and that stronger judicial intervention and consistency of judiciary in these types of cases is crucial.

It is hoped that with this judicial guidance and reports such as this, the Courts and professionals involved will become more aware of these cases and will develop mechanisms to deal with families in these difficult circumstances.

James Maguire & Co is a specialist firm of Family Law and Divorce Law solicitors based in Wilmslow, Cheshire. We offer legal advice to parties going through a divorce including the financial issues which flow from this and children matters including child maintenance.

We can also advise on Schedule1 Children Act 1989 applications.

We advise clients in the Wilmslow area and also to the surrounding areas of Alderley Edge, Bramhall, Hale, Altrincham, Manchester and the North West. We are also able to act for clients nationally and internationally subject to the jurisdiction of England and Wales. For advice please contact James Maguire by telephone +44 (0) 1625 529456 or by email james.maguire@family-law.