The Law Society is supporting plans by senior judges to streamline family court processes.
The Society responded today to a report by Mr Justice Ryder, the judge in charge of preparing a judicial response to the Family Justice Review, which was published last November.
Commenting on the report, Law Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff said:
'Effective case-management is vital to reducing delays in the family courts. Judicial continuity, specialisation and leadership are all essential to good case-management.
'Fast-tracking' child care cases will help identify those cases which can be finished within the government's proposed 26 week time limit. Delays also need to be reduced in cases where separating and divorcing couples are seeking the court's help in making arrangements for their children.
'However, achieving these aims without additional resources will be a challenge. The rise in numbers of unrepresented participants following the cuts to legal aid will put enormous pressure on the courts and the family justice system as a whole. There is an immediate challenge to develop effective methods of assisting parents without legal representation in private law cases.'
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Note to Editors:
Mr Justice Ryder’s report 'Judicial proposals for the modernisation of family justice', is published today (at 11.30 am): View the report.
In his report, Mr Justice Ryder thanks the Law Society for the significant role it has played in organising a series of seminars and bringing together the Faster Family Justice Group - comprising all the major participants in the family justice system.
The Law Society has recently issued guidance to solicitors about litigants in person through a Practice Note and a videocast featuring Mr Justice Ryder, and is developing guidance to solicitors on instructing expert witnesses in the family courts. View the podcast.
Read the Law Society practice note.
The Law Society is the independent professional body, established for solicitors in 1825, that works globally to support and represent its members, promoting the highest professional standards and the rule of law.
Contact: Catherine Reed, The Law Society
+44 (0)20 7320 5902