Judges key to delivering faster family justice, says Law Society

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.”