... minimising the bitterness and hostility between the parties and reducing the trauma for children. Part I: General principles underlying Parts II and III: As with the Children Act 1989 the 1996 Act begins with a statement of general principles, which set out the philosophy of the legislation and apply to Part II. The principles, which are self-explanatory, are as follows: (a) That the institution of marriage is to be supported; (b) That the parties to a marriage, which may have broken down are to be encouraged to take all practical steps, whether by marriage counselling or otherwise, to save the marriage; (c) That a marriage, which has irretrievably broken down and is being brought to an end should be brought to an end: a. With minimum distress to the parties and to the children affected; b. With questions dealt with in a manner designed to promote as good a continuing relationship between the parties and ...

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