In the wake of Sir James Munby, The President’s Practice Guidance (issued on 13th October), which effectively prevents ex parte non molestation injunctions from being issued for an unlimited period, Sir Nicholas Mostyn has released a consultation.

The consultation aims to look at the proposed language to be used for drafting these orders and the suggested format of the draft orders (and permitted deviations from the forms).

The Courts and Tribubals website tells us that comments should be sent to Joanna Wilkinson (Joanna.wilkinson@judiciary.gsi.gov.uk) by 10 November 2014.

My name is Matthew* and I’m 13. I live with foster carers now, and they’re nice. I ended up in care when I was little because my parents abused me, but I still have to see them. I try not to make a fuss about that because the social workers say it’s important for me to have a relationship with my mum and dad, but I feel very uncomfortable during contact and more than anything, I wish someone would make it stop.

But nobody listens.

Nobody except my grandma.

My grandma is a very good person. Sometimes she says things that surprise me, but I know she loves me and I love her, too. She stands up for me. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.

My life is really restrictive. I can’t cycle around my neighbourhood because my family complained about cuts and bruises they’ve seen…

“In the best interests of the children” is the cornerstone of family law in Canada. As is the principle (with few exceptions) that children benefit from the continued involvement of BOTH their mothers and fathers after divorce.

Yet over the 20 years that I have been a divorce lawyer, I have seen spouses and partners who not only don’t have their children’s best interests at heart, but rather have an overwhelming urge to “get back” at their ex, or ex-to-be spouse — and use their own children to do it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/andrew-feldstein/divorce-effect-on-kids_b_5960420.html