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
The bill would create a presumption that a child has the right to know and have access to both parents involved in a residence or contact case. It would require courts, local authorities and other bodies to apply this principle when deciding or enforcing arrangements, subject to safeguarding and welfare considerations. It aims to prioritise the child’s relationships with both parents unless there are strong welfare reasons not to.
The bill is currently at Second Reading in the House of Commons. If progressed, it would move to Committee Stage, the Report Stage and Third Reading in the Commons, before moving to the Lords for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
This Bill was withdrawn on 21 November 2012.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.
