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"It's intetesting that solicitors have never been concerned in the past about 'equality of arms' and the poor old LiP. What changed?

Family Court changed, and about time too, it is no longer the legal gravy train it became for 'career' Legal Aid professionals.

Parents now need to attend mediation which can be funded by Legal Aid - wish I had a penny for every solicitor who did a 'wonder' course to become a 'qualified' mediator and keep the old Legal Aid flowing in!

Why do parents go to Court at all? Mostly because the presumption of shared parenting has been shafted by this government. However you describe it currently only one parent 'ownes' the child and the other is controlled and classed as a visitor often contributing nothing but money rather than time to their children.

In law, both parents are exactly equal - until that translates into a practical every day reality - and moves away from the 'one parent only' benefit system - there will always be 'ownership' battles in the best, financial, interest of the parents - motivatedc by fee hungry professionals.

In simple terms even a LiP would understand - remove the need to go to Family Court."