[AREA] lawyer calls for pledges on family justice from candidates ahead of General Election
Leading local family lawyer [NAME] has called on prospective MPs in [CONSTITUENCY] to commit to modernising the family justice system if they’re elected to Parliament.
[Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss NAME] is a member of the national family justice group Resolution, which represents around 6,500 professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes andissues.
The organisation has made four proposals, which it claims “will make a huge, positive difference to the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people that separate each year.”
In a letter to local candidates, [Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss NAME]calls on them to support Resolution’s call to:
- Allow couples to divorce without blame.
- Provide cohabiting couples, who make up 10% of the population, with some basic legal rights if they separate.
- Ensure fair access to the family justice system.
- Give people more financial clarity on divorce.
Resolution has been leading recent calls in Parliament and the media for no fault divorce in particular, including a major Lobby Day in Westminster last November.
The call for change encourages candidates to help those who separate or divorce “to do so with as little conflict as possible, and to put the needs of any children first.”
In the letter, [Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss NAME]cites public support for a change in the law to allow for no fault divorce – a recent YouGov poll found 69% agreed that people should be allowed to divorce without blame.
[Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss NAME]said:
“At present, many people going through divorceare forced to apportion blame to their ex on the paperwork, introducing unnecessary conflict and making it harder to find a constructive approach.
“A new Parliament is a perfect opportunity for our next MP to change the law and end the blame game, as well as make a series of other reforms that would bring our family justice system in line with modern society.
“As a member of Resolution, I’ve been encouraged by the positive response we’ve had to our call for change so far. I’d encourage all our local candidates to look seriously at these issues if they want to make a positive difference to separating families in [CONSTITUENCY].
“I look forward to working with whoever is elected on June 8th to make the changes to our family justice system that are so desperately needed.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Resolution isa national membership organisation representing 6,500 family justice professionals. It is committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Resolution members follow a Code of Practice that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems. Members encourage solutions that consider the needs of the whole family - and in particular the best interests of children.
- For further information or to arrange comment, please contact [INSERT NAME, EMAIL ADDRESS AND MOBILE NUMBER].