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Covid-19. What happens to families with Child Arrangement Orders?

26th March 2020 by Kenneth Clarke

Categories: Covid-19, What's New?
Tags: , , , , , , ,

When a family experience divorce or separation, there is a seismic shift in their lives, most notably for children, who are suddenly thrust into a world where they have to experience not seeing at least one of their parents on a daily basis.

Maintaining a healthy relationship with both parents is the bedrock of the English Family Justice system. Where parents cannot agree arrangements for their children, the court can intervene and make a Child Arrangements Order, regulating the time each parent spends with their children.

Enforcement procedures can be enacted if one of the parents does not comply with an order

Every judicial decision made focuses on the best interests of the child, using a set of legal principles, but what happens when a global pandemic like Covid-19 comes along and forces governments to close schools and orders the population to stay indoors?

As a result, parents with primary care of their children have been stopping or suspending court ordered arrangements, sowing the seeds for conflict and causing confusion and anxiety for children. Some are offering Facetime, phone calls or WhatsApp as an alternative, but for the other parent, “distance contact” feels unnatural and breaks the natural bond that occurs from close contact with their children.

Fortunately, Sir Andrew MacFarlane, the President of the Family Division, has issued clear and helpful guidelines regarding compliance with court orders during the pandemic.

The full text of the President’s guidelines can be found here.

The guidelines underpin the basic legal right of a child to retain a relationship with both parents and therefore it is expected that parents will follow the spirit of the a child arrangement order, although the parent with primary care is permitted, if they feel they have good cause, to exercise their parental right to suspend direct contact, if they think that this is in the best interests of the child.

However, in such a situation that parent is encouraged to agree alternative arrangements if direct contact cannot be facilitated.

Any dispute about whether a decision to suspend contact has been exercised appropriately can be challenged by an enforcement application by the other parent. Court hearings can still take place, but for the time being hearings will be via video link or telephone conferencing and /or email.

There has always been the need for parents to be flexible in respect of arrangements for their children, post separation. During Covid-19 there will be a greater need for that flexibility. Parents will need to “think outside the box” in order to formulate creative solutions. This will be one of the greatest challenges separated parents will face in this unprecedented crisis.

If you need any further advice on child arrangement orders then please contact Laceys Mediation on mediationinfo@laceyssolicitors.co.uk and we will be happy to help.

Kenneth Clarke

Senior Associate — Family Mediation

Direct dial: 01202 377993

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Kenneth Clarke
  • “Came to Laceys Mediation after my previous solicitor wasn’t living up to expectations. Laceys Mediation was the best decision I ever made, Kenneth Clarke is some awesome mediator, he was so patient and his knowledge was very helpful. Thank you all for your support.”

    Rejoice Aggor-Mensa

  • “I was very happy with the sensitive way the issues around my divorce was handled by Kenneth Clarke. I was also more than satisfied with the way my daughter, Nina, was spoken to and helped her voice to be heard in the decision making process.”

    Brian Charles Hart

  • “What could have potentially been an extremely upsetting and inflammatory scenario, proved to be a surprisingly smooth and conflict free process through Laceys Mediation. With Kenneth’s extensive experience we were able to reach an agreeable outcome without spending our life savings!”

    Julie Morris

  • “Kenneth went that extra mile to explain and reiterate it to other party. outstanding and so very professional.”

    Lee Emm

Kenneth is the elder statesman of our mediation team, with forty years’ experience as a family lawyer, and qualified as a mediator in 1996. Kenneth has been a key member of the Laceys mediation team since 2005, specialising in financial and children cases, with a particular interest and specialisation in high conflict cases.

Kenneth is also qualified to consult with children, a growing part of the mediation process. Always looking to expand the boundaries of mediation practice,  Kenneth brings a degree of gravitas, humour, understanding and empathy when he mediates with clients,  creating a positive environment in which clients work together to resolve their issues quickly and cost-effectively.

Out of office hours, Kenneth’s main passion is writing musical theatre. When he has time Kenneth also enjoys travel, especially cruising.

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