Family justice & recused judges in civil way

Family procedural reforms which came into force on 7 August, include the new ‘statement of truth’—‘Proceedings for contempt may be brought against a person who makes a false statement in a document which is verified by a Statement of Truth without an honest belief in its contents,’ says Stephen Gold in NLJ's most recent civil way update.

Deputy District Judge Gold also considers the inherent risks of an application for judges to recuse themselves. An application made after the closure of evidence is ‘arguably perilous unless the judicial wind is perceived by the applicant to be ferociously blowing in the wrong direction’.