Parental rights

[isis4691]

My sisters ex partner hasn't seen my neice for 5 years and has just decided he wants visiting rights ( my neice is 6) He hasn't got parental rights and is threatening to take her to court, can he do this even without the parental rights?

[Annlinda]

A child has the right to know its father whether the mother likes it or not. The father can take the mother to family court .The court would probably start with supervised contact leading up to full unsupervised contact over a period of time. He can apply for parental rights and unless there is a very good reason not to grant pr the court will look the reports from CAFCASS and probably grant it.

[isis4691]

I am sorry but I didn't want your personal view of the situation, just an answer to the parental rights matter. As it happens this particular 'Father' is violent and that is why he hasn't been allowed contact. No child should have to be in danger, father or otherwise. Some children are better off without the other parent if it means lasting physical or emotional damage.

[Mumof2]

look at this link and it should trell you what you want to know

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/FamilyIssu esAndTheLaw/ParentsRights/DG_4002954

good luck

[Mumof2]

and this one it has legal nutshells about parental responsibility and contact orders etc

http://www.legal-zone.co.uk/legal-nutshells/le gal-nutshells.asp