Government announces reforms to the Children Act 1989
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Partner Deborah Jeff comments on the announcement that family courts will no longer work on the presumption that having contact with both parents is in the best interest of a child, following planned reforms to the Children Act 1989, in Today's Family Lawyer and International Comparative Legal Guides (ICLG).
"This long-overdue reform finally puts the welfare of the child where it belongs - at the very heart of family law.
"The existing presumption of parental involvement can result in children of abusive parents being the subject of extended litigation, effectively allowing the court process to be used as a vehicle for ongoing abuse.
"This change marks a decisive shift away from prioritising the rights of parents and towards child safety and wellbeing. Lawyers can now re-orientate around this long-awaited, child-centred approach to justice."
Extracts of Deborah's comments were published in ICLG, 22 October 2025, and Today's Family Lawyer, 23 October 2025.
