Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the impact of delays in family courts on cases of parental alienation.

The Government recognises the additional pressures that the family justice system has faced since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact this has had on children and families who use the family courts. Cases with the most significant safeguarding issues remain our priority.

The child’s welfare is the paramount consideration when considering child arrangement issues and in dealing with allegations of parental alienation. In assessing the child’s best interests, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) assesses and reports any concerns about alienating behaviours to the court, focusing on the impact on the child’s safety and welfare and in the context of wider family dynamics. Parents are also able to inform the court of any concerns they may have about the other parent.