Funding family courts would free 4,000 children from legal limbo
21 May 2025
Less than 1 minute read
News
The Law Society of England and Wales supports the National Audit Office’s (NAO) report* on the family court system and the recommendations made to free thousands of children from legal limbo.
The NAO report published today (21 May) reveals:
4,000 children were trapped in family law cases lasting 100 weeks or more in December 2024
the government’s commitment to address care proceedings within 26 weeks has never been met since it was first introduced in 2014
the number of people representing themselves in court (litigants in person i.e. LiPs) has increased from 13% in 2013 to 39% in 2024
an urgent need for better government data to understand the causes and impacts of delays and of the increase in LiPs
fragmented decision-making in the family justice system with no single body accountable for overall performance and responsibilities being spread across several government bodies
Law Society president Richard Atkinson said: “Our children and families need a fast and fair justice system. The NAO report reveals that while there have been improvements in reducing court backlogs, delays persist.
“When cases are resolved quickly, fewer complexities develop and fewer court applications are needed, reducing overall costs to the taxpayer.
“Cuts to legal aid, a vital public service, is a driving factor for the increase in the number of people who are forced to represent themselves in court.
“These cases take longer because often they involve deeply emotional issues for individuals who do not have legal experience, which increases the chances of going to a final hearing as they are less likely to know what a reasonable settlement looks like.
“To allow for a better understanding of how the family courts are working and address problems effectively, robust data collection and data transparency is needed.
“Making sure there is a joined-up approach to gain a shared understanding of what good quality support looks like from a child’s point of view also remains essential.
“Court staff, judges and professionals all work extremely hard to get the best outcomes for the public, but the government needs to invest more and take a broader approach to make sure the justice system meets the needs of children and families.”
The Law Society is celebrating 200 years of supporting solicitors in England and Wales. It is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.