A committee reviewing the issue of the automatic award of custody, in divorce cases, to the mother of children under age 6 plans to recommend the Justice Ministry abolish the 45-year-old practice.

The committee, headed by Professor Dan Schnit, former dean of the Tel Aviv University School of Social Work, was appointed by then-Justice Minister Tzipi Livni. According to Haaretz, the panel will recommend a change that would automatically award joint custody to both parents.

The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within the next several months.