Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure family courts are empowered to prevent direct contact between a child and a domestic violence perpetrator.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the family justice system fully supports survivors of domestic abuse and delivers the right outcomes for them.

Section 1 of the Children Act 1989 (‘the Act’) makes clear that the child’s welfare must be the court’s paramount consideration when making any decision about their upbringing, including making decisions about contact.

The courts are already empowered to restrict or prevent contact through orders, for example a Child Arrangements Order, where this would be in the child’s best interest and protect their safety and wellbeing.

The Government is also going one step further by repealing the presumption of parental involvement from the Act through the Courts and Tribunals Bill. This step will ensure the child’s wellbeing and safety remains at the heart of the court’s decision-making: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4083