Family Justice Review

It is very disappointing to learn that fathers are to be denied a legal right to contact with their children in the event of a break up under the Family Justice Review published today.

The report on family justice, led by former civil servant David Norgrove, has rejected recommendations to enshrine in law the principle that children should have a "meaningful relationship" with both their parents. Instead it will simply say that courts should keep in mind a meaningful relationship for a child with their father when they make decisions about a child's future.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the right of a child to maintain a relationship with both parents, even if they are separated and, in my view, national legislation should support this fundamental right.

I agree that the welfare of the child must be the most important consideration but crucial to a child's welfare, in the majority of cases, will be a quality relationship with both parents.