A BRIDGWATER law firm says Government cuts to legal aid have resulted in parents in dispute over their children going straight to court rather than using lawyers to resolve their differences outside the courtroom.

Pardoes says there has been a surge in cases relating to children across the county where parents are making and opposing applications in court themselves instead of using lawyers.

Since April 1, legal aid for cases of this sort has been almost entirely removed as a result of government changes.

Bridgwater-based Maggie Roberts, head of the family team at Pardoes, said: "Legal aid changes are already having a massive impact on people in Somerset.

"We take many calls from parents who are desperately concerned about their children’s welfare after a relationship breakdown and who need the help and support of a specialist family lawyer.

“Only a tiny minority of parents will now be able to get legal aid to enable them to appoint a solicitor if they have a dispute in relation to their children.

"Because parents won't understand the court process, applications will take much longer to resolve meaning prolonged uncertainty for families and children.

“When legal aid was available we were able to work with most parents to help them to resolve their issues without the need for court intervention.

“Now that legal aid isn’t available people are simply going to court as a starting point rather than as a last resort."

Pardoes cites newly released national figures showing the number of children caught up in legal battles between separating or divorcing parents jumped by 27% in May and is currently almost twice the level seen two years ago.