Page 32 - Federation magazine: October / November 2016

Custody, residence or child
arrangements – what’s in a name?

There was a a child will spend time with parent A on than semantics!
time when certain days (as set out in the order) and You want to know when there is a
the court parent B on certain days (as set out). dispute about the arrangements for the
made orders for Typically arrangements are made for the children and there are court proceedings
custody and term time, with different arrangements that you get the right order. It is important
access and those during school holidays and for special to consider and ensure there is sufficient
words have fallen occasions such as Christmas, birthdays and detail in any order as to the arrangements
into general mother’s or father’s day. – how are they going to work in practice,
parlance and are In my experience, however, courts still how long is the child going to spend with
often still referred regularly refer to a child residing with one each parent and when, what are the
to by people, parent and having contact with the other collection and delivery arrangements, how
although no parent. This is however now called a child will school holidays be spent both the half
longer used by the arrangements order not a residence order or terms and longer holidays, Christmas and
court. contact order. Is there a difference? For both special days, what arrangements will there
These terms were then changed to parents it can be really important how the be for the child to have FaceTime or
residence and contact to perhaps minimise arrangements are described, even if they telephone calls with the parent they are not
the suggestion that the children were in the agree how the time should be shared. with at any given time? Getting the detail
‘control’ or ‘ownership’ of either parent, so For instance, the parent with whom the and the wording right is vital.
the child would live with one parent and child spends most of their time may feel it is These are matters which Sally Leaman of
have contact with the order, or residence important that is reflected in an order Gorvins can advise on. If you need advice in
could be shared. expressing they are living with that parent. relation to any dispute regarding the
That wording was changed again in the Equally the other parent may feel it is arrangements for children please contact
last few years such that the court stopped important that the order expresses the child Sally who is a partner at Gorvins solicitors.
making ‘residence orders’ or ’contact orders’ is living with each parent during the time Sally holds clinics twice a month at
and instead make ‘child arrangements they are with that parent, so it is recognised Guardians House to provide initial free
orders’ setting out the arrangements for the each parent is equally important to the care advice on family law. If more convenient she
child. Therefore these can be expressed that of that child. For both, it can be far more can be contacted by phone on 0161 930 5117

Sally Leaman,
Partner and

Head of Family Law

Watching out
for YOU…

…whilst YOU watch out for others

With 20+ years’ experience working with the police, Gorvins Solicitors,
have been a leading provider of legal services to the Police Federation
and all its members. Whilst you protect your community our aim is to
protect you on any legal issues you may be experiencing.

Contact your dedicated force Cost effective: Fixed fees and Other Family Services
representative Sally Leaman today on discounted rates for of?cers, police U Wills, trusts and probate
personnel and families U Employment law
0845 6347 999 U Residential conveyancing
Expert team: Specialists in police U Personal injury claims
e-mail police-divorce@gorvins.com pension treatment on divorce and
or visit us at www.gorvins.com/ dissolution (on or off duty)
police-divorce/west-midlands- U Dispute resolution matters
police-federation Prompt service: First appointment
free and no matter is too small
32 federation October/November 2016
www.westmidspolfed.com