For fathers who are denied contact with their children.
Things will get tougher, not easier – for a while, at least.
Over the years there have been a number of developments in law and in society which have devalued men / fathers. The 1996 Family Law Act is routinely used to exclude men from the family home. The 2000 Case of Re L V M H is regularly misused, to exclude children from fathers. The Police and Social Services and maybe your “friends” will take the woman’s side.
As a man, you are seen as as a threat to women and children by virtue of the fact that you are a man.
To some extent, those of us who represent fathers have found CAFCASS to be helpful because at least CAFCASS objectively considered the objections of mothers and saw through those objections which were weak and balanced them with the benefits to children of having a relationship with both parents.
Now listen to this.
CAFCASS are taking up to a year to produce reports and with public spending due to be cut by 25% one would not expect this situation to improve. It is already getting worse and I predict that with the situation as it is CAFCASS will stop producing reports at all.
157 Courts are earmarked for closure around the country.
These things will not help you. Don’t moan about it though because we are wasting our time moaning. (Yes, there are some new proposals from the new coalition government which are encouraging but don’t be relying on that right now.)
Now, more than ever you need to understand the way Family Law works and as a father you need a Lawyer who will fight your case and who understands the system.
Tags: CAFCASS, children law, domestic violence, family courts, fatherhood, fathers' rights
