Child access laws will not mean equal time for fathers
09 Feb 2012
The government has confirmed plans to review the laws regarding
child custody after a
divorce.
It comes after a family law review by former Whitehall mandarin and
City businessman David Norgrove found that more must be done to
improve the rights of fathers following a
divorce.
However, the report claimed that the law should not be changed amid
concerns that a similar ruling in Australia had led to significant
delays in custody disputes.
Commenting on the plans, justice secretary Ken Clarke said that the
laws would be changed to highlight the importance of children
having contact with both parents.
But it would not guarantee equal access for fathers, despite
pressure from campaign groups.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Clarke said
that the government would be stating in law that both parents have
rights and responsibilities towards their children and contact
should be maintained wherever possible.
"We want to put back confidence, the courts will have proper regard
to the position of fathers and the right of the child to have
contact with the father, but of course in the end the interests of
the child must be uppermost and it isn't always possible," he
said.
The legislation will clarify that a "meaningful relationship" is
best achieved through the quality of parenting, not through an
exactly equal division of time.
Last month, Nadine O'Connor, campaign director for Fathers4Justice,
said a government move on the issue would be a "massive step
forward".
