The government was expected to launch a ‘family justice review’ as the Gazette went to press to consider how family courts can take a more ‘positive’ role in proceedings.

The review will coincide with the publication of a ‘family green paper’ offering greater support for separating families.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said the review would look at how courts could ‘help positively with relationships’ rather than ‘pitching parties against each other’. It will look at the greater use of mediation in the family system.

Law Society council member for child care Christina Blacklaws said: ‘I would be fully supportive of any measures that assist separating couples to use alternative dispute resolution processes. The best way forward would be for courts to make use of the powers they already have to adjourn proceedings to allow mediation to take place.’

She added: ‘I would like to see all parties seeking to apply for an order in respect of a child – subject to certain safeguards, for example, in urgent cases – required to go to mediation first, as parties funded by legal aid already have to do.’