FAMILY Court judges seem reluctant to order that children spend equal time with parents in the most bitter and complex disputes, with only 15 per cent of such cases resulting in a 50-50 parenting split.

Mothers are more likely to be granted the most time with their children in the most acrimonious cases contested in court, according to Family Court figures.

Of mothers involved in contested cases, 60 per cent were granted main residence, or the majority of time.

Of fathers in such cases, 17 per cent were granted the majority of time. The analysis is based on almost 1450 cases contested in court that were finalised in 2007-08.

Changes to family law that came into effect in July 2006 moved towards a presumption of equal shared parental responsibility and an obligation for the Family Court to consider shared time between parents when it was thought to be in the best interests of children.