Legal aspects of contact with a child

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of the institution of contact with a child, which is a relatively new regulation in family law. Theoretical and legal considerations are intended to determine the legal nature of such contacts and show that they are of a family and personal nature. The mutual right and duty to have contact including the claim on the part of a child were also examined, as well as the concept of the contact itself, especially with regard to the parallel concept of a personal contact. At the same time, the institution of personal contact that appears in the adoption process was discussed. The article presents the idea of the necessity of establishing an obligation for one of the parents living with the child not to break contact with the child, as well as the idea of introducing an institution for suspending contacts. With regard to one parent holding parental authority, it is assumed that contact with a child takes the form of a dormant claim, which comes into effect when the family breaks up. The conclusions are therefore intended to provide an interpretation of the provisions of Articles 113-1136 and 1191 of the Family and Guardianship Code, which means that the considerations presented in this article are also of practical importance for maintaining contacts with a child.