Local Labour with Rachel Jones

Which is more precious to you – your car or your children? Your house or your children? Your money or your children?

Government changes to family court law suggest your worldly possessions are more important than your children. When partners break up they're both entitled to legal representation to decide the fair distribution of property – not so for deciding issues around children.

Amid the pain and anger that often accompanies the end of a relationship, you're supposed to be savvy enough to negotiate your own agreement with your estranged partner and make your way through the court process without a lawyer guiding you and speaking on your behalf.

Never mind that you may be barely speaking to each other, or there has been a power imbalance in the relationship and your confidence is at an all-time low.

The push to have self-representation in court is meant to cut costs. Legal aid, the system that tries to provide all citizens equal access to justice in our democracy, was costing too much in the eyes of the current government.

But local lawyers see the changes as costing more in the long term – both financially and socially. The old system, they say, with its focus on reconciliation and conciliation, gave the state a role in looking after its citizens.

Both parties had the benefit of legal advice and representation during a stressful time. The process was intended to be fair, level the playing field and correct economic and power imbalances between former partners.

The new system is dependent on the individuals' abilities to navigate it for their own success. Instead of counselling, estranged couples are given advice on how to prepare for mediation where they're expected to put their own case forward. It's a system stacked in favour of the articulate, the literate and the dominant.

It's also expensive to access, meaning many who need support to negotiate separation can't afford to get it. And make no mistake; it's the children who suffer most.

That's why Labour is committed to everyone having access to legal advice and representation.

You'll realise how important that is when it's you, your friend, or your child going through the family court.