header-logo header-logo

01 April 2022 / Lauren Evans
Issue: 7973 / Categories: Opinion , Family , Divorce
printer mail-detail

Our children deserve better

77115
Now is the time for radical change for separating families. Lauren Evans trumpets calls for better support for the children of separating parents

‘There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.’ Nelson Mandela’s words were brought to life at a recent event in Westminster where the Family Solutions Group (FSG)—a multi-disciplinary group set up in 2020 to look at how family separation impacts on children—urged the government to help thousands of children whose mental health is put at risk when families separate.

The Attorney General, Suella Braverman QC, joined Paddy O’Connell from BBC Broadcasting House, Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, MPs, judges, academics, family lawyers and other professionals last month to hear the voices of children caught in the middle of parental conflict, because their parents ‘square up’ in acrimonious court battles rather than ‘sit down’ and seek an amicable solution. Child X, for example, said: ‘My mum and dad spend so much time hating each

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Nick McDonnell, Kain Knight

NLJ Career Profile: Nick McDonnell, Kain Knight

Nick McDonnell of Kain Knight reflects on an unexpected legal career, his drive to support vulnerable clients and the surprising pleasures of watching nothing happen

Mayo Wynne Baxter—Angela Arnold

Mayo Wynne Baxter—Angela Arnold

Mayo Wynne Baxter strengthens property team with new partner appointment

WilmerHale—Jeremy Kosky & Charlie Lightfoot

WilmerHale—Jeremy Kosky & Charlie Lightfoot

WilmerHale expands London disputes capabilities with addition of two leading partners

NEWS
Lawyers have welcomed the Lord Chancellor’s reverse-ferret on jury reforms, but expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the decision to exclude fraud trials
From ‘rats in the robing room’ to ‘overworked’ judges and a shortage of court staff, barristers have aired their concerns about the state of the justice system
The use of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) poses ‘significant risks’ across the justice system, public services and government, and current regulation is ‘poorly suited’ to control it, experts have warned
The solicitors’ regulator has paused controversial plans to exclude owner-managers from compliance officer roles
The government has launched a £16m legal support grant to support 48 frontline legal advice organisations supporting people facing eviction, problem debt, benefit disputes and family breakdown
back-to-top-scroll