Child custody applications soared by 44% last year

APPLICATIONS for child custody soared by 44% last year, according to statistics published yesterday.

The number of care orders and supervision orders issued for children in the family law courts also rose last year, as did the number of safety orders in domestic violence orders.

The Courts Service revealed the figures as a new Family Mediation Service (FMS) was launched to help some families avoid costly and lengthy litigation and spare children the pain of a long legal estrangement.