This report discusses the results of the author's study of the socio-legal aspects of children's adjustment to parental separation and divorce, as funded by the Winston Churchill Fellowship award. The award funded the author's study-related travel to Australia, England, Wales, Scotland, and northern California. The objectives of the study were: to assess the impact on post-divorce parenting of England's Children Act (1989) and Family Law Act (1996), and Australia's Family Law Reform Act (1995); to draw on current research relating to factors which facilitate children's adjustment following parental separation/divorce, particularly research that directly ascertained the views of children and young people; to gain knowledge of mediation services; and to consider the implications of the resulting findings for the socio-legal field in New Zealand. A literature review first outlines current knowledge relating to the impact of separation and divorce on children. The statistical situation with regard to divorce in New Zealand, its relevant statutory framework, and current research are discussed in order to provide a comparison with overseas jurisdictions. This is followed by discussion of the legislative frameworks, research programmes and children's services relating to children's adjustment to parental separation and divorce in each of the four jurisdictions visited. The author argues that New Zealand needs to follow the examples of Australia, England, Wales, and Scotland in confronting the issues of reaffirming the importance of ongoing relationships between children and both of their parents post-separation, and to facilitate children's voice and participation in the family and legal processes concerning them. A number of legislative, policy, practice and research recommendations are made.

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