Family Lawyers Voice Concern at Plans to Reform Legal Support for Vulnerable Women and Children – The Bar Council

Posted December 19th, 2008 in advocacy, family courts, fees, press releases by sally

“The Bar Council and the Family Law Bar Association have expressed concern over plans, announced by the Ministry of Justice, to roll up payments to barristers and solicitors into a single advocacy fee, putting at risk effective access to justice for those who need most protection.”

Full press release 

The Bar Council, 19th December 2008

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Family courts: a free-for-all? No, we will still protect children – The Times

Posted December 18th, 2008 in children, family courts, news by sally

“The announcement by Jack Straw that the media are to be given access to the courts at all levels is likely to be welcomed by the judiciary. At last they will be able show the world at large that there is no conspiracy or injustice going on.”

Full story 

The Times, 18th December 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Family courts to be opened up to greater scrutiny – Ministry of Justice

Posted December 17th, 2008 in family courts, media, press releases by sally

“Family court hearings are for the first time to be opened to accredited media, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today, in an oral statement in the House of Commons.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 16th December 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

‘Access all areas’ for media so justice is seen to be done – The Times

Posted December 17th, 2008 in family courts, media, news by sally

“The secrecy of the family courts – in which nearly 95,000 cases are heard in private each year – is to end under reforms announced yesterday that will allow the media access to all levels of the system. The move could mean that social workers and expert witnesses who fail children, and now enjoy the protection of anonymity, will in future be named publicly when criticised by judges.”

Full story

The Times, 17th December 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Veil of secrecy on family courts to be lifted, Jack Straw to announce – Daily Telegraph

Posted December 16th, 2008 in family courts, news by sally

“The veil of secrecy surrounding care proceedings and the family courts will finally be lifted, Justice Secretary Jack Straw is expected to announce.”

Full story 

Daily Telegraph, 16th December 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Views sought on draft Family Procedure Rules – Ministry of Justice

Posted December 1st, 2008 in consultations, family courts by sally

“The Family Procedure Rule Committee is seeking views on draft new Family Procedure Rules.”

Full consultation

Ministry of Justice, 28th November 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

In re M (a Child) (Family proceedings: Immigration) and In re N (a Child) (Family proceedings: Immigration) – Times Law Report

Posted November 26th, 2008 in children, family courts, immigration, law reports, legal profession by sally

In re M (a Child) (Family proceedings: Immigration) and In re N (a Child) (Family proceedings: Immigration)

Family Division

“Practitioners in family proceedings representing a parent who was also involved in some other relevant matter such as an immigration or housing dispute or criminal case had an ongoing duty to remain au courant with those other issues.”

The Times, 26th November 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

The Autonomy of the Citizen in the Context of Family Law Disputes – Speech by The Honourable Mr Justice Ryder

Posted November 21st, 2008 in children, family courts, speeches by sally

The Autonomy of the Citizen in the Context of Family Law Disputes (PDF)

Speech by The Honourable Mr Justice Ryder

Conkerton Memorial Lecture 2008

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

R (Hillingdon London Borough Council and others) v Lord Chancellor and another – WLR Daily

Posted November 10th, 2008 in costs, family courts, fees, judicial review, practice directions by sally

R (Hillingdon London Borough Council and others) v Lord Chancellor and another [2008] EWHC 2683 (Admin); [2008] WLR (D) 347

WLR DAily, 7th November 2008

Source; www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Practice Direction: Applications in the magistrates’ court to enforce contact orders – WLR Daily

Posted November 10th, 2008 in contact orders, enforcement, family courts, magistrates, practice directions by sally

Practice Direction: Applications in the magistrates’ court to enforce contact orders; [2008] WLR (D) 345

Applications to enforce contact orders made in the magistrates’ courts are to be considered by family proceedings courts.”

WLR Daily, 7th November 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.


Practice Direction – Allocation and Transfer of Proceedings Order 2008 – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted November 10th, 2008 in family courts, practice directions, transfer of proceedings by sally

“Allocation and Transfer of Proceedings Order 2008.”

Full practice direction

Judiciary of England and Wales, 6th November 2008

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Reforms threaten family courts – The Times

Posted October 23rd, 2008 in family courts, news by sally

“Access to justice in the family courts is threatened by Government policies driven by a need to recoup or save costs, Britain’s top family judge has warned. Sir Mark Potter, President of the Family Division, has told The Times of his concern that current proposals, if pursued, will put the system under ‘increasing strain’ as well as affect access to the courts.”

Full story

The Times, 23rd October 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Media must be allowed into family courts, says Sir Mark Potter – The Times

Posted October 20th, 2008 in family courts, special report by sally

“Britain’s most senior family judge has said that family courts should be opened to the media to dispel the ‘myths and inaccuracies’ surrounding the system.”

Full story 

The Times, 20th October 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

More open justice for families in the courts – The Times

Posted October 20th, 2008 in care orders, family courts, news by sally

“Family courts are to be opened up to public scrutiny in response to mounting criticism from parents whose children are taken into care that they are victims of ‘secret justice’.”

Full story

The Times, 20th October 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

President of the Family Division Guidance: McKenzie Friends October 2008 – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted October 17th, 2008 in family courts, McKenzie friends, practice directions by sally

“President of the Family Division Guidance: McKenzie Friends October 2008.”

Full guidance note

Judiciary of England and Wales, 16th October 2008

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Response to Ministry of Justice consultation paper: Reforming the Legal Aid Family Barrister Fee Scheme – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted October 15th, 2008 in barristers, consultations, family courts, fees, legal aid by sally

“Response to Ministry of Justice consultation paper: Reforming the Legal Aid Family Barrister Fee Scheme.”

Full response

Judiciary of England and Wales, 14th October 2008

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

In re M (A Child) (Family Proceedings: Immigration Issues); In re N (A Child) (Family Proceedings: Immigration Issues) – WLR Daily

Posted October 9th, 2008 in children, family courts, immigration, law reports, legal representation by sally

In re M (A Child) (Family Proceedings: Immigration Issues); In re N (A Child) (Family Proceedings: Immigration Issues) [2008] EWHC 2281 (Fam); [2008] WLR (D) 306

“Where a parent in family proceedings was also involved in some other relevant matter such as an asylum or immigration dispute with the Home Office, criminal proceedings or a housing dispute, practitioners acting for that parent had an ongoing duty to remain au courant with what was going on elsewhere even if that other matter was being handled by other professionals.”

WLR, 8th October 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Turf wars erupt over fees for family cases – The Times

Posted October 7th, 2008 in family courts, fees, legal profession, news by sally

“The credit crunch may dominate world headlines but closer to home lawyers are feeling the impact of their own pay squeeze.”

Full story

The Times, 7th October 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

How can the courts do more to help fathers? – The Times

Posted September 30th, 2008 in family courts, news by sally

“Fathers are predictably furious about a Ministry of Justice report out last week assessing how courts handle contact between separated parents and their children.”

Full story

The Times, 29th September 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

‘Come and join us’: Fathers 4 Justice welcomes mums – The Independent

Posted September 29th, 2008 in family courts, news by sally

“As the organisation is relaunched, its founder says: ‘It’s not about gender – it’s about families.'”

Full story

The Independent, 28th September 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk