The new second edition of this book centres on how the child can best be represented in judicial and non-judicial proceedings, and how the child's welfare can best be protected. To achieve this, the book is split into three main parts: statutory framework, representation and welfare. The Family Law Act 1996 contains the potential for sweeping alterations in the field of children's representation.
Currently, separate representation for children is generally only available in public law proceedings - the Family Law Act envisages the extension of such representation to private law proceedings. This book incorporates these developments, along with a new section on children and mediation.