A Bill to require courts, local authorities and other bodies, when determining or enforcing issues of residence and contact, to operate under the presumption that the rights of a child include the right to grow up knowing and having access to and contact with both of the parents involved in the residence or contact case concerned; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
22 November 2012
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Bill would require courts, local authorities and other bodies to apply a presumption that a child has the right to grow up knowing and having contact with both parents involved in a residence or contact case. Decisions about where a child lives and how much contact they have should start from this presumption, unless there are compelling reasons to depart from it. It aims to keep both parents involved in a child’s life where possible.
The bill is currently at its second reading in the House of Commons. It originated in the Commons, with the first reading in 2012; no further stages are listed in the provided data.
Generated 21 February 2026
25 Jun 2012
This Bill was withdrawn on 21 November 2012.
The Bill had its first reading on 25 June 2012 through the Presentation Bill Procedure.
If you require any further information about the Bill then please contact the sponsor Charlie Elphicke.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
