Celebgran with all respect, the law hasn't changed, GP's rights are being fought for in parliament right now, you still have to go to court, filling in all the forms, writing your statement, doing all the paper work [which I did myself] to get permission to go to court to get the visitation order to see your GC.
In France GP have rights, so they can go straight to the courts, as a parent would, to seek a visitation order, not so in UK.
Your right Celebgran I did need a solicitor, I was fine filling in all the forms, the paper work, my statement, I was fine with the first two court hearings, but the last one I definitely did need a, Barrister, as they talk the talk and I didn't, I was out of my depth. My estD & s.i.l did have a Barrister however! My ND & I always wondered who paid for their Barrister, as we knew they couldn't afford it, only last year we found out who.....my ex! the only time he's ever put he's hand in his pocket!
I think he did this as my estD never wanted anything to do with him, didn't like him. He walked out on us all when she was 3yrs and after the first year, saw the C a couple of times per year, then moved to Indonesia, so then only at funerals or weddings. I never encouraged the dislike, I always said to my C, he's your Dad, you can love him
So think he was chuffed when he was suddenly 'father of year' brought in by my nasty s.i.l to crucify me yet more.