Finance Minister has launched a consultation on
family law reform, including legislation to automatically
restrict the parental responsibility of anyone convicted of the
murder or voluntary manslaughter of a person with whom they share
parental responsibility.
The consultation is also exploring whether similar restrictions
should apply automatically in circumstances involving the most
serious forms of criminal offending and harm.
Speaking at the launch, Minister O'Dowd said: The safety, welfare
and wellbeing of children are among the most fundamental
responsibilities of government.
There have been a number of highly distressing domestic homicide
cases in this jurisdiction in recent years, with several directly
impacting children through devastating exposure to violence,
trauma and bereavement.
Decisions concerning parental responsibility and child
arrangements are currently dealt with on a case-by-case basis by
the Family Court, often requiring bereaved family members and
carers to navigate legal processes at a time of profound grief.
I want to see legislative reform that places children's welfare
and victims' rights at its heart, while easing the burden on
families.
The Minister concluded: This is an opportunity to help build a
family law framework that continues to place children first and
supports families at times of profound difficulty, while ensuring
that the burden of seeking protection does not fall unfairly on
those already coping with loss and trauma.
I encourage families and all interested parties to engage with
this consultation to help ensure future reforms make a meaningful
difference to the lives of people here. Undertaking this
important work and developing this legislation will enable a Bill
to be brought forward in the early part of the next mandate.
The consultation will run from 10 November 2026 to 8 February
2027. To respond, visit https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/dof/family-law-reform
Notes to editors:
1. The consultation is also seeking views on whether legislation
should be extended to include other high-harm offences,
including:
- Attempted murder and other serious violence against the
child's other parent
- Children conceived through rape
- Other serious sexual offending against children
- Severe harm to a child
2. For each additional area, the consultation explores possible
legislative models including automatic restrictions, mandatory
Family Court review, and discretionary approaches.
3. The Minister's Statement to the Assembly can be viewed by
clicking on the following link: https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/finance-minister-oral-statement-launch-family-law-reform-consultation
