Long awaited family justice review published

Parents and Grandparents have today received the outcome of the long awaited Family Justice Review says Moore Blatch solicitors.

Following investigation, the review panel has recommended proposals aimed at improving children’s and families’ experience of the family legal system.   
 
Moore Blatch partner and head of family Debra Emery comments: “For the main part the existing procedures and law will remain.

“We anticipate there will be a mixture of disappointment and concern from many parents and grandparents who would possibly have liked the reforms to go further, but the position may not be as bleak as many reports seem to suggest.”

The main recommendations under the interim report include suggestions to accelerate divorces and financial settlements, whilst also encouraging additional steps for consensual agreements to be reached between couples. There are also proposals for contact arrangements, with parents being advised to put in place parenting agreements that would detail these and could also include arrangements for grandparents.

The current recommendations do not include an automatic legal right for grandparents to see their grandchildren after a couple divorces – which may come as a surprise to many.

Debra continues: “In our experience the vast majority of couples divorcing will try and reach agreement amicably on an array of matters.

“In relation to children, couples will often agree a shared parenting agreement without having necessarily defined it as such.

“Of paramount importance is that the arrangements reflect the best interests of the children, are practical and enable the children to enjoy a meaningful relationship with both parents.

“There are of course instances where despite mediation and/or solicitor input a couple has been unable to reach agreement and the case will proceed to Court with a range of orders still possible.”

For many grandparents the conclusions of the review may be disappointing as they will continue to need to ask permission from the Court to seek contact with their grandchildren.  

Debra comments: “Unfortunately the existing arrangements do not favour grandparents who through no fault of their own have not been afforded an opportunity to see or to get to know their grandchildren, making the process slightly more difficult for them”

For anyone facing divorce or separation or who is concerned about the changes being recommended by the review, Moore Blatch offers an initial fixed fee hour long meeting with a member of the family team for just £100 plus VAT where individuals can review their options.