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Following last year’s Family Justice Review having advised against its introduction, the possibility of shared parenting becoming the de facto arrangement following a couple having gone through a divorce seemed to be dead in the water. Following yesterday’s Queen’s speech, however, it became clear that it is very much alive. The review, published in November of last year, advised that the introduction of any legislation that implied that shared parenting would automatically be granted could be harmful to children. This assessment has been criticised by politicians, however, and it was announced yesterday that consultations into legal changes that would make it easier for divorced or separated parents to, wherever possible, have a meaningful relationship with their children are due to be held in the near future. The Children’s Minister, Tim Loughton, also added that it was necessary to repair the public’s faith in the courts and that, through legislation, the government would ‘stress the importance of children having an on-going relationship with both of their parents following a divorce or separation.’ Loughton also stated that the need to cut the length of time it takes to finalise family court cases and simplify the adoption process would also be discussed during these consultations. It was also revealed that fathers will be afforded up to nine months of parental leave, with officials having claimed that current laws regarding paternity leave are out-dated and discriminatory.