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In many aspects of family law, courts are required to take account of `children's welfare'. The courts have struggled with what this includes and, in an important case, turned to research on children's welfare by Professor Jonathan Herring for a better understanding of that concept. In Re G (Children) [2012], the Court of Appeal ruled on a dispute between the mother and father of five children over their residence, religion and education. Munby LJ discussed the concept of welfare of children in detail, citing work by Herring with his Oxford colleague, Charles Foster, on the issue. [R2]. Drawing on this research, the court held that it is only by considering the child's network of relationships that their well-being can be properly determined. This ruling changed the law governing important family interests throughout England and Wales.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) regulates a central domain of current biotechnological practice: fertility treatment and embryo research. Appointed as the only philosopher on an Authority of 12 members and as Deputy Chair of the HFEA's Ethics and Law Advisory Committee Archard has provided ethical advice on all new biotechnological developments affecting those tens of thousands of prospective parents seeking fertility treatment. As Chair of its Statutory Approvals Committee he has developed guidelines for the licensing of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) that allows thousands of couples to avoid transmitting serious genetic conditions to their children.
Research by Professor David Archard on the moral and legal status of children has improved health policy and care for extremely premature babies through its contribution to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics report Critical Care Decisions in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine: Ethical Issues, released in late 2006. During 2008-13 the report's guidelines have come to be followed across the NHS in the clinical care of extremely premature babies and are regarded by doctors as the best available advice. Through its contribution to the Nuffield report, Archard's research has helped to bring improved and more consistent health care provision to extremely premature babies and their families across the UK.
Research undertaken at the University of Manchester (UoM) considers legal guidelines as they relate to the Care of Extremely Premature and/or Sick Neonates and has sought to identify deficiencies in the law, clarify the issues at stake in policy debates and make proposals for constructive responses. Impact has occurred through the utilisation of research in an influential Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) report. This has led to uptake within guidance provided to health professionals and parents, and ultimately the implementation of report recommendations — most notably the timetable that correlates the decision process on resuscitation to set stages in gestational age, alongside a more holistic approach to best interests — by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) in 2008. The BAPM guidance continues to have a significant impact on clinical practice.
Research at York undertaken by Bradshaw, Skinner, Corden and Davidson, directly influenced child support policy throughout the period 2008-2013, informing the radical change that abolished the Child Support Agency and returned child maintenance to the hands of parents to make private agreements under the `Child Maintenance and Other Payments' Act 2008. It also contributed to the decision to disregard child support payments and thus allow child support to increase lone parent incomes and reduce child poverty. More recently our research has contributed to the evolution of policy under the Coalition Government in the 2012 `Welfare Reform' Act, which introduced new `relationship support' services to improve co-parenting relationships, reduce conflict and improve child well-being.