Q. My ex-partner won’t let me see my children and I can’t afford to go to court. What can I do?

A. Because disputes in respect of children can be dealt with by the court, conflict between parents is often seen as a “legal” issue.

There are some situations in which the court may need to be involved, for example, where there is an element of domestic violence; but in the majority of cases the problem may really be about a breakdown in communication.

So what can you do if legal aid is no longer available and you need help?

If you would like to find out more about your options then you may want to arrange an appointment with a Family Matters Guide.

Family Matters is a scheme run by the family organisation Resolution that aims to support parents – either individually or together – to resolve any issues or reach agreement in relation to their children.

Family Matters Guides can offer impartial advice and information about services or support in the community that could help.

They have links with local mediators, counsellors, children centres and law firms and would be able to work with you to identify the issues and prepare an action-plan together.

In lots of cases, the next step would be for and your ex-partner to attend a mediation session together which would give you both the opportunity to discuss the problems you have and perhaps listen to how each other thinks and feels.

Research has shown that it is important to children that their parents “get along” and it is not the separation but the conflict that can make them upset or sad. Family Matters is currently a pilot scheme running in three parts of the country.

In Oxfordshire the Family Matters Guides are based at Turpin & Miller LLP.

Turpin & Miller is a law firm based in East Oxford with a national reputation for excellence.
It celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and picked up two prestigious awards – the Legal Aid Firm of the Year 2012 and the Law Society Award for Excellence in Client Service.
John McNulty is head of litigation at Turpin & Miller and specialises in disputes involving property.
He joined the company in 2005 having previously run his own firm in London for 13 years. John will be joined in writing regular articles for the Oxford Mail by colleague Emily Boardman, one of T&M’s partners and head of the family department.
She undertakes any complex family case but specialises particularly in representing parents and children in cases involving social services.
If you have a legal question for her or John ring 01865 770111 or email eboardman@turpinmiller.co.uk or jmcnulty@turpinmiller.co.uk