Parental rights: new year, new landscape for fathers?

The press reported in early January that the Government is considering proposals to promote shared parenting and to give rights in law for parents to have contact with their children. Action groups will undoubtedly welcome any proposals which recognise the role fathers often play in their children’s upbringing. As a general principle, the courts consider that it is in a child’s best interests to have regular contact with both parents. It will therefore be interesting to see how far the proposals go and whether there is, in practice, any change to the current legal position.

Our blog on 3 November talked about the Norgrave report, which controversially did not include a recommendation for equal rights for parents. The Government is expected to publish its official response to the report later this month. Keep your eye out on our blog for a further update.