‘Little will be gained by tinkering with the current arrangements. We feel that now is the time to instigate more radical system change for the benefit of future generations.’
Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, said: ‘While there is always a role for a judge or magistrate sitting in a court room, the report re-ignites an important conversation about services for families, and dispute resolution, out of the courtroom.
‘In reality, of course, difficulties that cause parents to come to court are not always essentially legal matters; they are, very often, the consequences of broken or dysfunctional adult relationships. As this report advises, public education about the effects of parental conflict, and the work of professionals other than lawyers or judges, will be key to supporting families to receive appropriate assistance and support; while the courts remain important for the determination of disputes particularly those involving harm to children or adults, courts should otherwise be seen as the last, rather than the first, port of call when many disputes arise.’
The report, ‘Private law: family disputes. The time for change. The need for change. The case for change’, can be found at https://bit.ly/2xIYI76
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