Children and Adoption Bill [HL]

I do not think that the noble Baroness need be frightened in any way of the word ““reasonable””. The difference in practical terms, if I could encapsulate it in a couple of sentences, is this: a presumption of ““contact”” means that a parent needs to explain why he wants reasonable contact and why it might be a good idea. A presumption of ““reasonable contact”” means that a parent needs to explain why and how there is a good enough reason to prevent reasonable contact. It is the onus of proof in a court. It has nothing to do with warring parents who cannot reach an agreement. This is what the court has to decide in determining a fair set of contact arrangements. That is how I would encapsulate it; and it is a crucial difference.