Technology has worked well in many instances but there are inevitably practical difficulties where lay parties rely on mobile phones during remote hearings, without face-to-face contact or access to the court bundle. Parties with a disability or cognitive impairment or where an interpreter or intermediary are required are at a particular disadvantage.
Meanwhile, the cases pile up― Ministry of Justice figures show that, as of 24 May, there were 13,504 outstanding public family law cases, and 47,011 private family law cases.
‘Meeting this challenge will require a radical reduction of court hearing times,’ writes Graeme Fraser, partner, OGR Stock Denton, & member of Resolution’s Family Law Reform Group. His article outlines the issues involved, covers the recent appraisal of the courts’ performance by the House of Commons Justice Committee, and calls for a clear plan of action.
Family justice post COVID-19: the road to recovery
