Family lawyers have called on Justice Secretary David Gauke to set up an independent inquiry into domestic abuse cases in the family court, instead of the three-month departmental review announced last week.
A group of 37 high-profile lawyers wrote to Gauke this week raising concerns about practice direction 12J, which explains what a court must do where it believes a child or party has experienced domestic abuse or is at risk.
The group highlighted disparities in its application, with 12J ‘often ignored’ and danger signs overlooked, leaving women and children vulnerable, and suggested setting up a specialist domestic abuse court.
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