AQW 44323/22-27
Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down
Tabled Date: 20/04/2026
Answered On Date: 05/05/2026
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail any current provisions that exist in private family law to suspend parental rights of information and consultation on decisions about a child.
Answer:
Under the relevant law, there is no automatic suspension of a person’s parental rights to information or consultation about decisions relating to a child within private family law proceedings. The Children (NI) Order 1995 provides that individuals with parental responsibility are, in principle, entitled to be consulted on significant decisions affecting a child. However, the courts have wide discretionary powers to regulate or restrict the exercise of parental responsibility where this is necessary to protect the child’s welfare. In private law cases, the court may regulate a parent’s involvement in decision‑making by making specific issue orders or prohibited steps orders which limit participation in particular decisions affecting the child. The court may also impose conditions through child arrangements orders, including residence or contact orders, which in practice restrict the flow of information or the extent to which consultation is required. In exceptional circumstances, and where the relevant statutory tests are met, the court may further make an order removing or terminating parental responsibility. In all cases, any restriction on a parent’s right to information or consultation is case‑specific, determined by the court, and guided by the paramountcy of the child’s welfare.
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