Family Justice Review
The family justice system is a network of organisations and individuals from many different professions all working co-operatively and collaboratively so that the system achieves its aims.
It is our aim to improve the system so that it is quicker, simpler, more cost-effective and fairer whilst continuing to protect children and vulnerable adults from risk of harm.
The need for change
The family justice system is under strain, with rising case volumes and lengthening case durations. The cost to the State is now over £800m each year. Long and complicated legal processes are emotionally and financially draining for parents and distressing for children. Fathers and grandparents regularly tell us that they do not feel well served by the current system.
We believe we can and should create a better family justice system; this review aims to do so.
About the Review
The Family Justice Review has been launched to examine the effectiveness of the family justice system and the outcomes it delivers, and to make recommendations for reform.
The Review will:
- examine both public and private law cases
- explore if better use can be made of mediation and how best to support contact between children and non-resident parents or grandparents
- examine the processes (but not the law) involved in granting divorces and awarding ancillary relief, and
- look at how the different parts of the family justice system are organised and managed.
We are aiming to produce a system which allows families to reach easy, simple and efficient agreements which are in the best interests of children whilst protecting children and vulnerable adults from risk of harm.
Within scope of this Review
The agencies and professionals directly involved in the family justice system are all in scope for the Review, including:
- courts
- local authorities
- Cafcass and CAFCASS Cymru
- family lawyers
- mediators, and
- the Legal Services Commission.
We will also consider their relationship with agencies and professionals indirectly involved in the family justice system such as children’s centres, health services and the voluntary sector..
How we will carry out this Review
The Review is being led by a panel of experts with an independent chair, David Norgrove.
The first stage of the review is to carry out intensive fact-finding activity and formal evidence hearing sessions over the summer months. This started with the launch of a ‘call for evidence’ in June 2010, which runs until 30 September 2010.
The call for evidence will allow us to take evidence from everyone involved in the family justice system: parents and children, families, professionals and representative bodies, regardless of their level of expertise. We are particularly interested in hearing from children and young people, and will do specific work with children’s organisations to gather their views.
The evidence we receive will be carefully considered, and will inform our proposals for reform of the family justice system. These proposals will be published as an interim report in spring 2010.
We will hold a public consultation on this report, which will lead to a final report with proposals for legislation in autumn 2011.
Contact us
Tel: 020 3334 4200
Email
Family Justice Review
4th floor
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
