Public Affairs

We have published our Bill on Shared Parenting. It would make it much easier for both parents to stay in a child's life following separation or divorce. It would also provide appropriate safeguards in the minority of cases where shared parenting is not the best solution.

There is abundant evidence that a child's chances in life are greatly improved if both parents continue to be involved significantly in their lives following separation or divorce. They stand a better chance of getting educational qualifications, of getting a job and remaining in employment, and of staying out of prison than children who do not have two active parents.

Currently the law too often has a divisive impact on families, treating one parent as the sole carer and the other as the sole financial provider. The reality is very different.  Very often both parents want to play a full role in the child's life, and are well able to do so, but the law prevents this.

To read the Bill click here.