honour and accession to the Throne. In England and Wales, the Family Law Reform Act 1987 creates a presumption that in all future legislation the question whether a person's parents were married to each other at any time will not be relevant. In particular, under other provisions of the Act: (a) All children will be treated equally as regards dispositions of property made by will or codicil, and as regards succession on intestacy; (b) The process by which the parent with custody of the child can apply for a maintenance order for the benefit of the child from the other parent has been reformed, and distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children removed; (c) An unmarried father may apply to the court for an order that he is bo share parental rights and duties with the mother (and under the Children Bill, the sharing of parental responsibility will be achievable by agreement between the mother and the father); (d) The procedure by which the father may be registered on the child's birth certificate has been facilitated. There are plans for similar legislation in Northern Ireland. CCPR/C/58/Add.6 page 68 306. It should be noted that the father of illegitimate children, while liable to maintain them and entitled to apply to the court for equal parental rights and duties with the mother, does not enjoy parental powers as of righc. That is thought to be in the best interests of most children concerned (and is seen as discriminatory between father and mother rather than against the children concerned). Other legislation on children 307. There have been several other legislative changes in recent years. 308. Section 64 of the Children Act 1975 was implemented in full in May 1984 and included provision for courts to appoint a guardian ad litem in care and related proceedings. The provision of a guardian ad litem service followed in 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the rights and responsibilities of parents, particularly fathers of illegitimate children, in the context of family law and succession. It highlights changes in legislation aimed at promoting equality and fairness in family relationships. The text does not seem to be related to economic or environmental issues, but rather focuses on social and personal aspects.

**Category**
Education, Humanitarian aid and relief