The Family Law Act 1996 will provide the framework for divorce and separation, for mediation and for disputes involving domestic violence for many years to come. It will be up to the family lawyers to ensure that the Act lives up to its principles in supporting marriage and, if divorce or separation are inevitable, then in concluding the arrangements with minimum distress to the parties and their children and promoting a good continuing risk of violence is to be removed or diminished so far as is practicable. It will be important to under- stand and promote the opportunities for marriage guidance and mediation and.
