We agree with the Family Justice Review's recommendation that the importance of children's relationships with grandparents and other family members,

where safe and appropriate, should be emphasised in the dispute resolution process. Work will continue next year to develop a range of support to help separated parents resolve their disputes out of court. The importance of considering the benefits to children of maintaining relationships with wider family members will be stressed throughout this process, including through online support, parenting programmes for separated parents, and as part of the new 'parenting agreement' which is being developed.

The Government are currently taking forward several policy proposals resulting from the Family Justice Review which aim to support parents in resolving disputes and to put in place arrangements that are in the child's best interests.

In particular, the reforms include a proposed amendment to the Children Act 1989 to emphasise the importance of children having an ongoing relationship with both of their parents following family separation, where it is safe and in the child's best interests. The legislation will affect England and Wales.

The provision will not give parents a “right” to contact with their child nor will it prescribe how much time a child should spend with each parent. The intention of

the (proposed) amendments is to make explicit in law that parents remain jointly responsible for their children following divorce or separation. As now, the child's welfare will remain the courts' paramount consideration.

The Government's overall aim in private family law reform is to encourage and enable parents to resolve disputes outside of the court system, wherever possible, and to focus on the needs of their children. The development of a new parenting agreement, as well as improved information and targeted support, is intended to help them do so.