Children Act 1989

This is the most most important recent law, it has not been followed by the judges quite as parliament intended.

It has been amended ....

Most important clauses
In any proceedings in which any question with respect to the upbringing of a child arises, the court shall have regard to the general principle that any delay in determining the question is likely to prejudice the welfare of the child. What this means is that the courts must get on with it and not wait too long before making an order.
 * 1.-(2) The no delay principle.