The Children and Adoption Act which comes into force this November provides that separated husbands and wives who obstruct their former partners from having child contact could be forced to carry out community service.
Fathers’ rights groups, who have recently led campaigns to highlight the problems so many fathers have with seeing their children, are likely to welcome this move.
A government spokeswomen said “these new measures, which include ordering an individual to attend contact activities such as a parenting class, or carry out unpaid work, give the court new ways to help find solutions where there is a serious conflict between parties.”
Cafcass advises the court on the interests of the children in family proceedings. Chief Executive Anthony Douglas criticises the proposed legislation. “I’m not convinced unpaid work will change the way people think or behave…what we really need is more specialist family support services with counselling for both children and parents.”
Legal advice to protect your position may be extremely important whether you are a mother or father. Ambrose Appelbe act for many clients in relation to contact with children and other child issues. Please contact Lisa Bolgar Smith on 020 7242 7000 if you think we can help you.
