Divorced parents blocking child access

Children's Minister Tim Loughton says too many divorced or separated parents are freezing out their ex-partners when it comes to child access, and is proposing tougher penalties for parents in England and Wales that deliberately try to cut the other parent out of their child's life.

Mr Loughton accused divorcing parents of using the delays in the system to freeze their ex-partners out of their child's lives, so that when a court judgment is reached the parent's relationship with the child has already suffered or broken down altogether. He also accused other separating parents of ignoring the courts decisions on child access, and called for penalties for those "who go all the way to court but also stick two fingers up at the judgment". He wants to see powers extended to impose more penalties on parents deliberately refusing contact, such as fines, jail, compulsory unpaid work, restrictions on travel, and the imposition of curfews.

The plans also include an assumption by the court that it the child would benefit from access to both parents, but this has been criticised as unnecessary, as 99.7% of cases already result in a judgment that both parents should have contact with their child anyway.

If you live in Northern Ireland and require legal advice in respect of a divorce or separation, including on matters of child custody, child access and child contact, contact one of the family law solicitors at Wilson Nesbitt in Belfast or Bangor by calling 0800 840 1363. You can read more information about the law concerning children after a separation or divorce by clicking here.

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