‘Changes to allow children and abuse victims in England and Wales to film their evidence before a trial begins should be brought in “as fast as possible”, a justice minister has said.’
BBC News, 9th September 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘An ex-Sunday school teacher who raped and sexually abused young girls under his care has been jailed for 14 years.’
BBC News, 9th September 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Government response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ (JCHR) first report of the 2014 to 2015 session.’
Ministry of Justice, 4th September 2014
Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
‘In this series written for Criminal Law & Justice Weekly, Navpreet Virk and No5 member Richard Gibbs present the opposing arguments surrounding the manner in which the youth courts treat juveniles convicted of criminal offences and examine the countervailing arguments and policies. In the first of this four part series, Nav Virk sets out the general philosophical underpinnings of the current policy approach.’
No. 5 Chambers, 21st August 2014
Source: www.no5.com
‘Children are being damaged by the rising number of estranged couples representing themselves in family court battles, a former judge has claimed.’
BBC News, 2nd September 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Public funding is not generally available for litigants in private-law children cases, and no expert can now be instructed in such a case unless the court is satisfied, in accordance with section 13(6) of the Children and Families Act 2014, that the expert is “necessary” to assist the court to resolve the proceedings “justly”.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 31st August 2014
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘Disclosure of information about children, pursuant to a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FoI), is always a difficult issue and the natural reaction of public authorities is to err on the side of caution.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 1st September 2014
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘A Thai surrogate mother, C, gave birth to twins on behalf of Australian nationals D and WF in an arrangement where C was paid £9,000. When one of the twins, G, was born with Down’s syndrome, C alleged that D and WF abandoned the baby boy, taking only the healthy sister back to Australia. D and WF deny this.’
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 28th August 2014
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
‘About 1,400 children were sexually exploited in Rotherham over a 16-year period, according to a report that concluded “it is hard to describe the appalling nature of the abuse that child victims suffered”.’
The Guardian, 26th August 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘The Bar Standards Board and ILEX Professional Standards have issued a call for research organisations to help carry out an independent review of advocacy in the youth court.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 18th August 2014
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘The names of couples’ mothers are to be added to marriage registers for the first time as the government addresses “another inequality in marriage” by introducing the first reforms to the system in more than 150 years, David Cameron has announced.’
The Guardian, 18th August 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘M, who was 24-years-old, was in the late stages of her first pregnancy (X County Council v M). She suffered from persecuting delusions including a belief that mental health services were “murderers” and would murder her and her unborn child. The local authority applied to the court for permission not to disclose to M the care plan for the removal of her baby at birth. They also applied for a reporting restrictions order. The Family Division held that despite the fact that both orders sought were draconian, the orders would be granted in the circumstances of the case.’
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 14th August 2014
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
‘Family judges are to receive guidance on dealing more appropriately with children and other vulnerable witnesses.
The interim report of a working group set up by Sir James Munby, head of the Family Division, says the family system ‘lags woefully behind’ the criminal justice system in this regard.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 13th August 2014
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Q v Q; In re B (A Child); In re C (A Child) [2014] EWFC 31; [2014] WLR (D) 372
‘Since public funding was not in general available for private law children cases, in some circumstances the court could properly direct that the cost of certain activities should be borne by Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (“HMCTS” ), although it was to be emphasised that, the provision of interpreters and translators apart, that was an order of last resort. No such order should be made except by, or having first consulted, a High Court judge or a designated family judge.’
WLR Daily, 6th August 2014
Source: www.iclr.co.uk
‘Jennifer Perrins, barrister of 1 King’s Bench Walk, and Amy Rowe, associate solicitor with Bindmans LLP, consider whether the test of ordinary residence is distinctive from that of habitual residence.’
Family Law Week, 12th August 2014
Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk
‘Rachael Rowley-Fox explores the suggestion made by Sir James Munby, the President of the Family Division, that courts should spend money to ensure that justice is done in the wake of the legal aid cuts.’
The World of Family Law (Garden Court Chambers), 8th August 2014
Source: www.gcfamily.wordpress.com
‘The nine-year jail sentence of the man convicted of killing baby Alfie Sullock is being reviewed by the Attorney General after complaints it is too lenient.’
BBC News, 7th August 2014
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Deirdre Fottrell, Barrister of One Garden Court, considers the parameters of habitual residence and jurisdiction in the light of Re H (Jurisdiction) [2014] EWCA Civ 1101.’
Family Law Week, 6th August 2014
Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk
‘The case concerned a five-year-old boy. The appellant, his father, had applied for contact. The mother had opposed, alleging violence and so a fact finding hearing was ordered. The mother wanted her 13-year-old daughter, from a different relationship, to give evidence about some of the alleged incidents. That child had never been asked about the incidents and had to date given no account, whether by an Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) interview or otherwise. The judge ordered Cafcass to meet with this child to explore matters further – in particular, whether that child should answer questions put to her in writing and/or give live evidence at the hearing. The father appealed that decision. After the hearing and before the father obtained a stay, Cafcass met the child. Cafcass recommended that the questions should be reworded and reduced in number and also that the child “should not be compelled to provide live evidence” and/or “subjected to live cross-examination”.’
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 6th August 2014
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
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