I was concerned to read how the Law Society responded to the recent Ministry of Justice consultation paper on shared parenting. As a single father who has enjoyed equal (50%) shared access to my 11-year-old daughter for the past seven years, I know only too well how inconsistent the legal system is and how biased it is against men, in particular fathers.

The opportunity afforded by this consultation to level the playing field is one that should not be missed.

I fully accept that it will not always be possible for working parents to have such involvement in their children’s lives. However wherever possible this should be the starting point in every case. If this were to happen, then not only will the welfare of the child be best served but other common biases and failings within our family law system will also begin to diminish.

Tim Crook, Battle, East Sussex