Petitions/Change the burden of proof in the Family Courts
StatusClosed
Opened27 Nov 2025
Closes27 May 2026
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

I want the government to change the law so that the burden of proof in the Family Courts changes from a 'balance of probabilities' to 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Especially when cases may involve the loss of contact between a child and their parent.

Family Courts assess allegations on a 'balance of probabilities', or 'more likely than not' basis, and any allegations proven to this standard can then inform decisions about parental contact. Many of those who face family courts do so without legal aid and support, and can quite often face other parties who have legal aid and support. We feel this is grossly unfair on not just parents but children facing these life changing decisions. The law related to burden of proof must change.

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Constituency engagement ranking

Satvir Kaur
1Satvir Kaur MP
Southampton Test
5
James McMurdock
2James McMurdock MP
South Basildon and East Thurrock
4
Wendy Morton
3Wendy Morton MP
Aldridge-Brownhills
3
Ian Lavery
4Ian Lavery MP
Blyth and Ashington
3
Mary Creagh
5Mary Creagh MP
Coventry East
3
Monica Harding
6Monica Harding MP
Esher and Walton
3
Sarah Olney
7Sarah Olney MP
Richmond Park
3
Dr Ben Spencer
8Dr Ben Spencer MP
Runnymede and Weybridge
3
Noah Law
9Noah Law MP
St Austell and Newquay
3
Gareth Snell
10Gareth Snell MP
Stoke-on-Trent Central
3
Change the burden of proof in the Family Courts — Petitions