⇒ The Children Act is founded on principles that:

• In all decisions relating to the upbringing of children, the welfare of the child is paramount
• Judicial intervention should only happen where absolutely necessary (i.e. the no order principle, section 1(5))

⇒ 'Every Family Matters' (2009) proposed 2 reforms to protect children when their parents break up:

• End the family breakdown culture
• Laws and process should be implemented to look after the child's best interest and minimise the impact on them

⇒ The government thinks it is important for every child to continue having a meaningful relationship with both of their parents (section 11 Children and Families Act 2014)

⇒ This says that the presumption must be, unless the contrary is shown, that both parents' involvement will improve the child’s welfare

⇒ This removed public funding for most family law proceedings (with a few exceptions e.g. domestic violence)

⇒ Increased the number of Litigants in Person (individuals who have to go to court without legal representation)

⇒ Increased number who sought mediation - people felt coerced to seek alternate disupute resolution

⇒ The starting point is the welfare principle (section 1 Children Act): the welfare of the child is the court’s paramount consideration

⇒ Residence and Contact Orders are now gone. They have been replaced by Child Arrangement Orders (section 12 Children and Families Act 2014)

⇒ Specific Issue Order e.g. when the parents can't decided what school to send the child to, the court can make a specific issue order to decide for them

⇒ Prohibited Steps Order e.g. injunctive order prohibiting child from doing something

⇒ This is now repealed and covered by Child Arrangement Orders (i.e. one of the section 8 orders in the Children and Families Act 2014)