Children matters (private law only)
'Contact' is the term used for when the parent without the day to day care of the child (often referred to as the non-resident parent) sees the child.
The law supports parents maintaining a meaningful relationship with their children and you can expect your ex-partner to regularly see your children unless there are very good reasons to prevent or impose conditions on contact.
Parents are encouraged to try to agree children matters directly. If you are unable to do this then an option might be to attend mediation with your ex-partner to try to agree matters and establish a rapport and an application to the Court should be viewed as a last resort.
If you are unable to agree matters directly or do not want to attend mediation then your solicitor can help to try to negotiate arrangements for the children on your behalf.
You can apply to the Court for variety of Orders in relation to children, which include:
- A Residence Order (often referred to as 'custody')
- A Defined Contact Order - granting the non-resident parent specified contact with the child
- A Specific Issue Order - for example to determine where the child might go to school etc
- A Prohibited Steps Order - to prevent a parent from doing something for example from taking the child abroad.
The Court will only make an Order that is in the best interests of the child and will refer to the welfare checklist when making such an Order. They might Order a CAFCASS report, where you and your ex-partner are assessed with the child and they make recommendations as to how contact should progress.
If these matters effect you please complete a contact form or call us directly on 01483 302 000 or email samantha.jago@www.rhw.co.uk
