Family Law

Cafcass’ guidance is that parents should still try to comply with the court order, unless it would put the health of the child or others at risk if you were to do so.  This is unchartered territory and parents will have to use their judgement and hopefully work together to agree what should happen over this next three week period. 

Official restrictions due to COVID-19 mean that travel to visit a parent living far away or abroad may no longer be possible.   Other difficulties arise where one parent’s time with their child is supervised, or handovers cannot take place between parents due to previous allegations of domestic violence for example.

The current pandemic is unsettling for children and further changes in their lives and daily routine can exacerbate this.  Accordingly, if you have to make changes to your child’s usual time with their other parent, it would usually be sensible to explain the reason for the change to your child and vital to allow your child to keep in touch with the other parent, for example through telephone calls and live video platforms and apps such as FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom or Houseparty.

Throughout this blog I refer to the parents trying to agree arrangements between themselves. I appreciate that this is not always possible or permitted. If you cannot speak to the other parent, see if a third party such as a mutual friend or neutral person can help you to discuss the arrangements.  Apps such as Our Family Wizard that allow parents to communicate through software can also help.

Alternatively, arrangements can be agreed via family mediation or in family therapy, which is available remotely and can be very helpful.  In the longer term, arbitration could assist.

DO WE HAVE TO CONTINUE WITH THE EXISTING ROUTINE/ARRANGEMENTS THAT I HAVE AGREED WITH THE OTHER PARENT?

These are unprecedented times and parents need to try to agree on what is best for their child, bearing in mind that children will be feeling anxious during this time of upset already. It might be best to try to agree new arrangements for the next three weeks or on the other hand you and your child might find comfort in the existing routine. 

MY CHILD DOESN’T GO TO THE OTHER PARENT’S HOUSE AND THE PLACE THEY USUALLY SPEND TIME TOGETHER (E.G. LEISURE CENTRE, RESTAURANT) IS CLOSED.  WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Although many parks are now closed and playgrounds are out of bounds, the government guidelines still allow one period of exercise a day between members of the same household. As long as it’s safe and practical to do so, perhaps the child can go for a walk with the other parent.

WHAT IF I NEED MORE HELP FROM THE OTHER PARENT WHILST OUR CHILD IS OFF SCHOOL BECAUSE I HAVE TO WORK FROM HOME OR AM AN NHS OR OTHER KEY WORKER?

You may already have an agreement as to what the arrangements are during school holidays or a court order may set this out for you. If these arrangements suit you better than the term time arrangements, then you could suggest that you change to the holiday arrangements, if this is suitable for your and the other parent’s situation.

WHAT IF I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CHILD WILL CATCH COVID-19 FROM THEIR OTHER PARENT AND I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE SELF-ISOLATING?

In such a situation, parents will have to use their judgement and discuss arrangements that will be in the best interest of the child.

WHAT IF I OR SOMEONE IN MY HOUSEHOLD IS SELF-ISOLATING, OR MY CHILD OR SOMEONE IN THE OTHER PARENT’S HOUSEHOLD BECOMES ILL WHILST MY CHILD IS WITH THEM AND IT NECESSITATES SELF-ISOLATION?

Parents will have to use their own judgement but if the child moves to another household where someone falls ill with suspected COVID-19 symptoms, that household will then have to self-isolate and so it would seem sensible for the child to remain there for the duration of the self-isolation, assuming they are well enough to care for the child.   It would also be sensible to ensure that both houses are as properly equipped for the child, as far as possible, in case the child has to stay there for longer than usual.

I HAVE A COURT HEARING IN A FEW WEEKS – WILL IT STILL GO AHEAD?

The detailed guidance from Mr Justice MacDonald on 23 March 2020 states that remote hearings in family law cases will be the default position.  If one or more of the parents in the case is legally represented, the applicant or the first represented party will be responsible for making the arrangements for the remote hearing.  If neither parent has a legal representative, the court office will contact the parents to explain that the hearing will be held remotely and with the details for doing this. 

IS CAFCASS STILL OPERATING?

Yes, Cafcass are currently operating remotely and continuing to represent children in family court cases.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TALK TO MY CHILD ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING?

There is a wealth of resources out there providing guidance about how best to talk to children about coronavirus to keep them informed while reducing anxiety. We have listed some of these resources below:

This article was first published on the Kingsley Napley website and is reproduced with permission.