When the Children and Families Act 2014 was given the Royal Assent on 13 April 2014 Family Justice and Civil Liberties Minister Simon Hughes said:

'We are making sure the welfare of children is at the heart of the family justice system.

We want to keep families away from the negative effects that going to court can have and to use alternative solutions when they are suitable. This is why we have changed the law to make sure that separating couples always consider mediation as an alternative to a courtroom battle.

When cases go to court we want them to happen in the least damaging way. So we are improving processes reducing excessive delays ...' ...

Read the full article here.