Courts do not treat non-resident parents unfairly – report – Ministry of Justice

Posted September 26th, 2008 in contact orders, divorce, family courts, press releases by sally

“An independent study published today shows that family courts are making great efforts with considerable success to secure child contact, following divorce or separation.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 25th September 2008

Source: www.justice.co.uk

‘I do not remove a child unless it is the right thing to do’ – The Times

Posted September 18th, 2008 in family courts, special report by sally

“Judges, and the system, feel beleaguered. The Times has accused family courts of operating in a ‘conspiracy of silence’ — particularly in care cases. While injustices may occur, judges feel that the picture is distorted. So The Times had been granted rare access to sit on the bench and witness family justice from a judge’s-eye view. ”

Full story

The Times, 18th September 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Ministry of Justice proposals risk harm to the most vulnerable in society say family law barristers – The Bar Council

Posted September 12th, 2008 in barristers, family courts, legal aid, press releases by sally

“The Family Law Bar Association yesterday submitted a response to the Ministry of Justice consultation entitled Reforming the Legal Aid Family Barrister Fee Scheme concerning legal fees in family law cases.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 11th September 2008

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

In re R (Family dispute: Evidence) – Times Law Reports

Posted August 29th, 2008 in domestic violence, family courts, law reports, no case to answer by sally

In re R (Family dispute: Evidence)

Court of Appeal

“Judges conducting preliminary fact-finding hearings in family proceedings involving serious allegations of domestic violence should never terminate the case without hearing all the available evidence.”

The Times, 29th August 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.

Children at risk of violence after failures by family courts – The Times

Posted August 1st, 2008 in children, domestic violence, family courts, news by sally

“Dozens of children caught up in bitter residency disputes are being put at risk of domestic violence because of failings in the court service set up to protect their interests.”

Full story

The Times, 1st August 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Times wins ruling over secrecy of family court – The Times

Posted July 22nd, 2008 in anonymity, child abduction, family courts, news by sally

“Details of private family court proceedings that led to a mother fleeing the country with her son after he was placed in foster care have been disclosed after legal action by The Times.”

Full story

The Times, 22nd July 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Europe to begin investigation of secrecy in family courts – The Times

Posted July 10th, 2008 in family courts, miscarriage of justice, news by sally

” Britain faces an investigation by Europe into secrecy in family courts, amid growing political pressure to overhaul the system.”

Full story

The Times, 10th July 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

The Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the Butterworth’s Family Law Service July 2008: The Family Courts of the Future – Speech by Mr Justice Ryder

Posted July 1st, 2008 in family courts, speeches by sally

The Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the Butterworth’s Family Law Service July 2008: The Family Courts of the Future (PDF)

Speech by Mr Justice Ryder

Judiciary of England and Wales, 27th June 2008

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Young barristers voice concern over family legal aid cuts – The Bar Council

Posted June 19th, 2008 in barristers, family courts, legal aid, news by sally

“Young barristers would be driven away from important child protection work if legal aid cuts announced today are brought in by the Government.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 18th June 2008

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Legal aid reform – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 18th, 2008 in family courts, fees, legal aid, news by sally

“Justice Minister Lord Hunt has made a written ministerial statement on a consultation on the Family Graduated Fees Scheme, which governs payments to barristers for family legal aid work.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 18th June 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Family legal aid cuts ‘will harm society’s most vulnerable’ – The Bar Council

Posted June 18th, 2008 in children, family courts, legal aid, news by sally

“Some of the most vulnerable children in society will lose out as a result of plans to cut legal representation in publicly funded family law cases, family barristers have warned.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 17th June 2008

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Family courts out of touch says judge – The Times

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

“A senior family judge has attacked the present system of family courts run by a ‘self-selecting great and good and a professional judiciary’ as out of tune with society.”

Full story

The Times, 16th June 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Family procedure rule committee news – March and April 2008 – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 20th, 2008 in family courts, news by sally

“An update on the work of the Family Procedure Rule Committee in March and April 2008.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 19th May 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Barristers in family cases face big cut in fees – The Times

Posted May 19th, 2008 in barristers, family courts, fees, news by sally

“Ministers are preparing a fresh onslaught on barristers’ legal aid fees that will involve a huge cut in their pay rates for family and children’s cases.”

Full story

The Times, 19th May 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Family barrister ‘exodus’ fears – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 16th, 2008 in barristers, family courts, fees, news by sally

“Proposed fee cuts for family law barristers that would bring them in line financially with solicitors will lead to a ‘massive exodus’ of experienced advocates, the Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC) has warned.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 15th May 2008

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Children and Adoption Act 2006 – Court Rules – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 8th, 2008 in consultations, contact orders, family courts by sally

“This consultation seeks views on draft court rules and forms to support the implementation of the remaining provisions of the Children and Adoption Act 2006. These enable courts to use contact activities to help resolve child contact disputes and give them more flexible powers to enforce contact orders.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 7th May 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

The Voice of the Child: Children’s “rights” in Family Proceedings – Speech by Sir Mark Potter President of the Family Division

Posted May 7th, 2008 in children, family courts, lectures by sally

The Voice of the Child: Children’s “rights” in Family Proceedings (PDF)

Lionel Cohen Lecture by Sir Mark Potter, President of the Family Division

Israel, 4th May 2008

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Vengeful mothers leave good fathers powerless to see child, says judge – The Times

Posted May 1st, 2008 in children, divorce, family courts, news by sally

“A senior judge spoke out against child access law yesterday, saying that the courts were powerless to help decent fathers to see their children if vengeful mothers stood in the way.”

Full story

The Times, 1st May 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Government putting a price on the future of children – The Times

Posted April 29th, 2008 in care orders, family courts, fees, special report by sally

” While the Government digests the disastrous effects of the Domestic Violence, Crime & Victims Act 2004, introduced in July last year, on the protection of the victims of domestic violence, it might also give consideration to another legislative time-bomb affecting family proceedings.”

Full story

The Times, 28th April 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Children ‘put at risk by higher court fees’ – The Times

Posted April 28th, 2008 in care orders, children, family courts, fees, news by sally

” Vulnerable children face a greater risk of harm because of a dramatic rise in the cost of taking them into care, ministers have been warned.”

Full story

The Times, 28th April 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk