Retired family judge, Philip Marcus, will set out the principles and practice of family courts in Israel which aim to take a problem-solving approach where separated mothers and fathers are failing to reach an agreement for the parenting of the children.

The family judge can bring in a range of social work and family support professionals at an early stage as required to address any issues that either parent may raise. “But the aim is to get the parents to take responsibility not just for the immediate needs of their children but their emotional and psychological welfare in the years ahead,” says Judge Marcus.

Inner House judge Lady Wise will present the current perspective from the Scottish bench on how such issues are addressed in Scotland. Lady Wise was previously one of the two Family Court judges in the Court of Session and a member of the Hague Network of Judges dealing with International Child Abduction cases.

Shared Parenting Scotland has hosted the webinars this autumn to draw together initiatives from other countries that could help separating parents in Scotland resolve disputes and find it easier to share the care of their children.

Around the world jurisdictions are trying to find a way of reducing the distress to children of family break up while recognising the changing environment of children’s rights and evolving gender equality in mainstream parenting.

Contributors from Sweden, the USA, England, Canada and the Netherlands have described initiatives under way in their country. Each webinar contribution received a short response from a Scottish practitioner, followed by questions and discussion. Recordings of the contributions and responses are available on the Shared Parenting Scotland website.

The webinar series is intended for parents and for professionals working in family law, dispute resolution and family/parenting support.

Interested participants can sign up for the final event in the 2022 series here.