Shared Residence Orders

For some time, Shared Residence Orders (SRO) were rare, as it was considered they would only work in situations of close co-operation between the parents.

This has changed and now they are being granted in situations of bitter conflict.

An SRO has been granted to a man who was not the natural father even though the children only spend alternate weekends with him (which is the usual regime).

Judges are using these orders to send a strong message to both parents, that they are equal in the eyes of the law, and that overriding concern is the best interest of the children.