This work has become an invaluable companion for all practitioners involved in private law proceedings under the Children Act 1989. It provides both a detailed, widely researched analysis of substantive law and a clear guide to the relevant procedure. The new edition has been thoroughly revised throughout and takes account of all recent case-law in respect of contact orders and shared residence orders and important procedural developments, such as the introduction of the Private Law Programme, and the joinder of children as parties to proceedings. The extensive text is supplemented by fully updated appendices containing essential statutory and other materials.