When considering mothers’ rights, the law starts from a point of view that children benefit from spending time with both parents. More often than not, a child will live with the person who historically did most of the caring. For many families, this will be the mother.
In determining child arrangements, the primary concern of the courts is the best interests of the child. Judges begin with the assumption that both parents are equally capable of raising children, regardless of age, and that children have the right to maintain a relationship with both parents unless compelling evidence suggests otherwise. The considerations go beyond deciding the child’s primary residence, also addressing regular contact with the other parent, as well as arrangements for holidays, education, medical care, and any religious or cultural aspects.
Where a child does not live with the mother, she will have as much contact with the child as is practicable and suitable for that child. The court will only prevent a mother from seeing a child if there are good reasons – for example, proven allegations of neglect or abuse.
If a father unfairly restricts access to the child, the court can use a variety of mechanisms to punish this, including fines, community service, and even prison.
Click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert Children solicitors.
The information on this website is intended as a guide and does not constitute legal advice. Vardags do not accept liability for any errors in the information on this website, nor any losses stemming from reliance upon the statements made herein. All articles and pages aim to reflect the legal position at time they were published, and may have been rendered obsolete by subsequent developments in the law. Should you require specialist advice, tailored to your situation, please see how Vardags can help you.
Vardags Limited is a limited company trading as Vardags, Company No 7199468, registered in England and Wales, having its registered office at 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG. Vardags is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 535955). Its VAT number is 99 001 7230.
Vardags uses the term ‘Partner’ as a professional title only, to describe a Senior Solicitor, Employee or Consultant with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications (whether legally qualified or otherwise) to merit the title. Our Partners are not partners in the legal sense. They are not liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of Vardags Limited. Similarly, the term ’Director’ is a professional title only, to describe a non-legally qualified employee or consultant of Vardags with relevant experience, expertise and qualifications to merit the title. It does not necessarily imply that the relevant individual is a director of Vardags Limited.
A list of the directors of Vardags Limited and a list of the names of those using the title of ’Director’ and ’Partner’ together with their official status is available for inspection at Vardags’ registered office.