Assumption: "(Domestic Abuse Findings) How I speak to solicitors, Cafcass or contact centre staff has nothing to do with contact."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
Parents often see emails to the other side's solicitor or arguments with contact centre staff as separate from the question of what contact their child should have.
Court Reality
Where domestic abuse has been found, PD12J paragraph 37 asks the court to consider how the parent is likely to behave during contact and whether they are using the process to continue abuse. Abusive emails, swearing at staff and threatening language are evidence the court can use to answer those questions. In a recent appeal, this conduct was a central reason contact stayed supervised.
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The Gap?
"(Domestic Abuse Findings) How I speak to solicitors, Cafcass or contact centre staff has nothing to do with contact."
Court Reality
Where domestic abuse has been found, PD12J paragraph 37 asks the court to consider how the parent is likely to behave during contact and whether they are using the process to continue abuse. Abusive emails, swearing at staff and threatening language are evidence the court can use to answer those questions. In a recent appeal, this conduct was a central reason contact stayed supervised.
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