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Open petition: Change family law proceedings burden of proof to “beyond a reasonable doubt”

Created by Calum hodgson fuidge
Closes on

In family law proceedings judges make decisions based on a standard of proof based on a balance of probabilities that something is more likely than not to have happened, and we think this should be changed in line with criminal law so that it must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt”.

We think the current process is causing false allegations being upheld and can prevent parent and child contact, and that a parent can lie in family court in order to alienate the opposing parent. We believe this is happening purely because the balance of probabilities does not require the burden of proof to suggest that it is true beyond a reasonable doubt.

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  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 14 November 2026.