As of last week, we have a new government. The new Conservative government proposed in its manifesto a number of changes which affect families going through separation, including further cuts in legal aid; the abolition of the Human Rights Act; and a commitment to fund “relationship support” with £7.5m per year.

Resolution, the national organisation of family lawyers, has also recently produced its manifesto for family law highlighting six areas where changes are needed to our family justice system:

* Protect vulnerable people going through separation. Since the Legal Aid cuts in April 2013, fewer people have access to legal support during their divorce or separation. Before the cuts, solicitors were the biggest referrers to mediation services for separating couples. They were also the main referrer to child contact centres. Resolution is also concerned about the changes to child support with the introduction of the Child Maintenance Service. Resolution wants to see anyone who meets the eligibility for legally-aided mediation (which is still available) offered a free meeting with a family lawyer.

* Introduce measures to help separating people reach agreements out of court. Mediation is not right for everyone. Other options including collaborative law, solicitor negotiation, arbitration or simply helping people reach their own agreements, all of which do not involve the court, other than to (possibly) approve the final agreement. There is no standard divorce or separation and people need to be aware of all options before deciding which one is right for them.

* Introduce a Parenting Charter to help people understand their responsibilities when they separate. Despite most parents believing they have their own child’s interests at heart, many don’t understand what their responsibilities are as a parent going through the separation process or when parenting apart.

* Allow people to divorce without blame. Unless people are prepared to wait for two years, they have to blame the other person, either by saying they have acted unreasonably and giving some examples, or that they have committed adultery. Resolution believe that a change is long overdue to make the divorce process an administrative one, where blame no longer plays a part.

* Help people understand how their divorce will affect their finances. Removal of legal aid has led to a rise in unrepresented litigants. However, our divorce law is complex. Resolution wants more clarity on the enforceability of pre-nuptial agreements and clearer guidelines on the division of capital assets and pensions.

* Provide basic legal rights for couples who live together if they separate. Many cohabiting couples think that the longer they live together, the more rights they acquire. Wrong. It is possible to live together for decades and then walk away without financial responsibility for your former partner. Resolution thinks this needs to change.