In this week’s NLJ, Caroline Bowden, consultant at Anthony Gold, is cautiously optimistic about a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) consultation on the earlier resolution of private family law arrangements for children, finances and housing. The aim is to keep family disputes out of court where possible, an aspiration approved of by family lawyers.
The crucial question, of course, is how? Bowden considers the MoJ’s proposals—compulsory attendance at parenting programmes before going to court, making litigants consider mediation before issue and at every stage thereafter, and more powers for judges to consider costs orders on couples to keep them in check.
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