A trial has been started by The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (known as Cafcass) in a bid to improve procedures involving parents’ separation.

Alongside the Ministry of Justice, the trial, being run in Dorset, aims to help families make new arrangements for their children during family legal proceedings.

Cafcass family court advisers prepare reports on behalf of the court and its advisers intervene when parents cannot reach an agreement over childcare.

As part of the new trial, judges can review and request data before a case reaches court, helping to avoid conflict in courtrooms, with more emphasis on looking at allegations of domestic abuse and other harmful behaviour.