Family division High Court Judge Sir Paul Coleridge has called for an Independent Commission into the state of Family Law in the UK.
Speaking at an event organised by Christian charity, CARE, Mr Justice Coleridge spoke passionately about family law, the role that it plays in maintaining family life and whether the current law is fit for purpose.
He argued that family law is important because of the impact it has people's private lives, and the way it can regulate people's relationships and the relationships they have with their children.
Mr Justice Coleridge also expressed concern over the fact that there had been no high level review of family law since the Royal Commissions in 1950 and subsequent legislation in 1971. He pointed out that family arrangements such as cohabitation outside marriage were very rare then, but are much more commonplace now.
Mr Justice Coleridge therefore called for a 'comprehensive, root and branch overhaul‘ of family law by an independent, authoritative and non-political commission.
