Date: 6 February 2012
Author: Sue Bailey

Grandparents should have a continuing relationship with their grandchildren after parents separate, ministers will say today.  The government is set to announce plans later today for a new ministerial working group expected to draft proposals to reform the Children Act 1989.  This move comes despite the recommendation last year of the Report on Family Justice, which concluded there should be no change in the law.

The aim is to place more emphasis on separated parents, including those going through a divorce to enter into parenting agreements, setting out the arrangements for care of their children.   More couples should reach agreements regarding their children through mediation, rather than resulting to the adversarial court processes.   Guidance regarding parenting agreements will place a strong emphasis on parents considering the importance of a child having a continuing relationship with their grandparents.

Sue Bailey, a Family Solicitor at the Norwich office of Ashton KCJ says: "The proposals stop short of suggesting grandparents will have specific legal rights, which will be disappointing for some.  The proposed changes will also strengthen the rights of fathers with a clear emphasis being placed on a child’s right to have an on-going relationship with both of their parents".