Allowing grandparents the right to see their grandchildren after parents divorce is one of the recommendations outlined in a new Government report.
The Government-commissioned interim report on family justice, led by an independent review panel, sets out proposals to enshrine in law greater access rights for grandparents when couples separate or divorce.
Currently, grandparents have no right to contact with their grandchildren when parents separate and have to apply through the courts for permission to see their grandchildren.
The report by the Family Justice Review panel recommends that parenting agreements be drawn up, if possible outside of court, to reinforce the importance of the valued relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren. These would set out contact arrangements and could be used as evidence in court if parents fail to ensure contact is upheld.
It says, ‘The panel recognise the importance that grandparents play in children’s lives, and that this is a relationship that is often highly valued by both children and other family members. The importance of this continuing after parents have separated came through strongly in the call for evidence.’
The report also calls for the Family Justice system to be simplified – a system which it says at present is too complicated and causes harmful delays for vulnerable children and adults.
Sam Smethers, chief executive of the charity Grandparents Plus, said, ‘These proposals are very welcome. We know that the involvement of grandparents in children’s lives when parents separate helps cushion the impact of that separation or divorce on the childrenm and we have been calling for greater recognition of this fact for some time. We now hope the Government implements the proposals as soon as possible.’
There will now be a period of public consultation on the recommendations before the panel presents its final report in December.
Currently, grandparents have no right to contact with their grandchildren when parents separate and have to apply through the courts for permission to see their grandchildren.
The report by the Family Justice Review panel recommends that parenting agreements be drawn up, if possible outside of court, to reinforce the importance of the valued relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren. These would set out contact arrangements and could be used as evidence in court if parents fail to ensure contact is upheld.
It says, ‘The panel recognise the importance that grandparents play in children’s lives, and that this is a relationship that is often highly valued by both children and other family members. The importance of this continuing after parents have separated came through strongly in the call for evidence.’
The report also calls for the Family Justice system to be simplified – a system which it says at present is too complicated and causes harmful delays for vulnerable children and adults.
Sam Smethers, chief executive of the charity Grandparents Plus, said, ‘These proposals are very welcome. We know that the involvement of grandparents in children’s lives when parents separate helps cushion the impact of that separation or divorce on the childrenm and we have been calling for greater recognition of this fact for some time. We now hope the Government implements the proposals as soon as possible.’
There will now be a period of public consultation on the recommendations before the panel presents its final report in December.