This is an invaluable companion for all practitioners involved in private law proceedings under the UK's Children Act 1989. It provides both a detailed, widely-researched analysis of substantive UK law and a clear guide to the relevant procedure. This third edition has been thoroughly revised throughout, in particular to take account of statutory changes on parentage and parental responsibility, case-law concerning 'new families,' developments in shared residence, relocation, children giving evidence, media access to the courts, alternative dispute resolution, and the UK's Family Procedure Rules 2010. The extensive text is supplemented by fully updated appendices containing essential statutory and other materials.