Anger at ‘propaganda’ of MoJ family courts report

Activists have dismissed a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) commissioned survey into family courts’ handling of contact orders as ‘propaganda’.

The survey of 11 courts, by Oxford University’s Centre for Family Law and Policy, found that the perception that courts awarded non-resident parents little or no contact after divorce or separation was untrue. The survey found that 79% of non-resident parents left court with an order or agreement for face-to-face contact.

Reactions to the survey varied strikingly. Tony Roe, chairman of the children committee at national family law organisation Resolution, said he was encouraged. ‘The system isn’t perfect, but the study showed the courts acknowledge both parents have responsibility for the welfare of their child.’

However, Matt O’Connor, founder of Fathers4Justice, which campaigns for contact rights for fathers, said: ‘Snapshot surveys of tiny samples like this are propaganda.’