The Law Society has given its support to proposals made by the Family Justice Review to improve the current family justice system.
The Family Justice Review's Interim Report recommends changes to make the family justice system operate with greater speed and efficiency, and to enable more issues to be resolved out of court where possible.
Law Society President Linda Lee said:
“Family cases are complex, sensitive issues and highly stressful for the children and adults involved. The outcomes have far-reaching effects on the lives of all parties but particularly children. There is a moral and social imperative for the system to provide speedy and effective outcomes in the interests of children. In many cases, mediation and other alternative ways of resolving disputes will be effective and helpful, but there will always be parties whose disputes, ultimately, will need to be resolved by a court. They too require and deserve better from the system.”
Improvements the Law Society would like to see implemented include:
- The creation of a dedicated family service and a single family court.
- Maintaining the current 'tandem model' of a guardian/solicitor acting in the child’s interests.
- Encouraging the use of parenting agreements, but ensuring there is easy access to the courts for cases where agreements can't be reached.
- The introduction of a ‘no fault’ divorce system.
