Emmersons' senior partner Jacqueline Emmerson is head of the family department and is a member of the Law Society's Specialist Family Law Panel.

She is also one of a limited number of solicitors in the area who deals with the complexity of care proceedings on behalf of parents and other relatives.

Arrangements for Children

You and your partner will have to deal with one another for a number of years in respect of your child or children. They will benefit if you can do this in an amicable way. It is better if you can negotiate a settlement without having to use the court system.

If this is not possible then the court will look at the process from the point of view of the child. It is their right to see both parents and all other relatives. This can be grand parents and aunts and uncles. The court will try to make sure that this happens.

It is not the child’s fault if:

• One parent does not pay maintenance
• One parent feels bitter about the other
• One parent has a new partner

The court will put the needs of the child first.

If you are prevented from seeing a child in your family you should seek help as soon as possible. In the first instance we can try to negotiate on your behalf. If this fails we would then consider issuing court proceedings. The court is usually sympathetic to those making a genuine application to see a child.