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Legal News

Family Justice Council issues new guidance on responding to allegations of alienating behaviour

Published on: 11 December 2024
Published by LNB News

LNB News 11/12/2024

Document Information

Issue Date: 11 December 2024

Published Date: 11 December 2024

Jurisdiction(s): England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Article summary

The Family Justice Council (FJC) has published comprehensive guidance for the judiciary and practitioners on responding to a child's unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent, as well as allegations of alienating behaviour. The guidance, which followed an extensive consultation, dispels myths about parental alienation syndrome, reaffirms fact-finding relating both to allegations of alienating behaviour or domestic abuse as a judicial function, and emphasises the importance of considering domestic abuse allegations alongside alienation claims. It aims to centralise the child's voice and improve consistency in court approaches. The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has endorsed the guidance, urging all family justice professionals to review it carefully. The FJC also announced forthcoming guidance on neurodiversity, covert recordings, financial needs on divorce and procedures for applications for medical treatment orders for children.

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