Hartnell Chanot: Divorce/Family Law Solicitors Exeter, Devon

Grandparents should be given easier access

Wednesday, 27 May 2009 09:00

Grandparents should be given easier access to their grandchildren after parents separate or divorce, according to a report published on May 19th.

Campaign groups called for a change in the law to remove the "unnecessary obstacle" that requires grandparents to go to court to ask permission to make an application for contact.

Families Need Fathers, The Grandparents' Association and Family Matters Institute said the role grandparents can play must not be ignored.

Family campaigner and television presenter Gloria Hunniford said: "This report shows the need for Government to address the importance of grandparents in future policy and legislation.

"It also demonstrates the need to amend the Children Act 1989 to remove the obstacle that requires the biological family to ask permission prior to making an application to the court for contact.

"It is time for the Government to harness the love and attention that grandparents yearn to give to their families."

The Children Act grants an automatic right to step-parents who have lived as part of the family for three years to apply for contact, and the report says grandparents should have the same right.

In the vast majority of cases, families will work out their own arrangements without having to go through the courts.

A survey of 211 people, carried out for the report, found that before separation 55% of grandparents were directly involved in looking after their grandchildren.

But after separation 42% of grandparents lost all face-to-face contact.

Source: The Sun Newspaper