Useful links
Courts & Government Agencies of England and Wales
- Her Majesty's Courts Service
The Court Service is an executive agency of the MoJ. This covers policy, legislation and the Magistrates' courts. The purpose of the Court Service is the delivery of justice
- Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
Responsible in government for upholding justice, rights and democracy.
- Equality Schemes under the Ministry of Justice The MoJ now has responsibility for the Equality Schemes formerly published by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. It provides information on the Equality Schemes covering race, disability and gender.
- Department for Education & Skills
To give children an excellent start in education, enable young people to equip themselves with life and work skills, and encourage adults to achieve their full potential through learning.
- Department of Health
Providing health and social care policy, guidance and publications
- Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The purpose of the FCO is to work for UK interests in a safe, just and prosperous world.
- Legal Services Commission
The Legal Services Commission is an executive non-departmental public body created under the Access to Justice Act 1999 to replace the Legal Aid Board
- Law Commission
The role of the Law Commission contributes to the aim of the Ministry of Justice is to build fair, effective and accessible justice services and to modernise the law and constitution.
- Direct.gov
The direct.gov.uk website is run by the Office of the e-Envoy, part of the Cabinet Office, and aims to bring various Government services together into one place.
- CAFCASS
CAFCASS looks after the interests of children involved in family proceedings. It works with children and their families, and then advises the courts on what it considers to be in the children's best interests. CAFCASS only works in the family courts.
- The Official Solicitor
The Official Solicitor provides representation for minors or adults under legal disability, and sometimes others, in county court or High Court proceedings in England and Wales, and in the Court of Protection.
- Judicial Studies Board
The Judicial Studies Board provides training and instruction for all full-time and part-time judges in the skills necessary to be a judge. It also has an advisory role in the training of Lay magistrates and of chairmen and members of Tribunals. An essential element of the philosophy of the JSB is that the training of judges and magistrates is under judicial control and directions.
- Association of Directors of Social Services
The Association of Directors of Social Services represents all the directors of social services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Association is involved in issues covering managerial policy and professional activities of social services departments.
- Judiciary of England and Wales
The website aims to provide users with an insight into the working lives of the nearly 42,000 judicial office holders in England and Wales - judges, tribunal members and magistrates.
- Forced Marriage Unit
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office launched a joint Forced Marriage Unit on 26 January 2005. The unit is a one-stop shop to undertake policy, projects and give practical advice to people at risk of being forced into marriage. The unit works closely with a wide range of community groups, women's groups, non government organisations and statutory agencies in fighting forced marriages.
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Other UK Courts & Government Agencies
- Court Service Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Court Service is part of the Ministry of Justice. They are a separate Civil Service in their own right. Their core business is to provide administrative support for the Northern Ireland Courts. They are accountable to Parliament at Westminster through the Parliamentary Secretary at the Minisrty of Justice and through the Lord Chancellor.
- Scottish Courts
The Scottish Court Service (SCS) is an Executive Agency which is responsible for the speedy, efficient and cost effective administration of the Supreme and Sheriff Courts. SCS is responsible for the administrative staff who deal with the day to day work of the courts and associated offices.
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Courts and Institutions of Europe and the UN
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Publications and Rules
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The Legal Profession
- Law Society
The Law Society is the professional body for solicitors in England and Wales. They serve society by working to improve access to the law and provide services and support for solicitors.
- Resolution
Resolution is an association of over 5000 solicitors who are committed to promoting a non-confrontational atmosphere in which family law matters are dealt with in a sensitive, constructive and cost-effective way. It sets good practice standards in family law and runs an accreditation scheme for specialist family lawyers.
- Family Law Bar Association
The FLBA is the specialist bar association for family barristers. With about 1500 members, it organises conferences, seminars, meetings and social events throughout the country via its regional network and often in conjunction with the Solicitors Family Law Association.
- Association of Lawyers for Children
The Association of Lawyers for Children is an organisation which promotes justice for children and young people within the legal system in England and Wales.
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Non-Governmental Organisations
- Children's Legal Centre
A unique, independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people.
- Reunite
International Child Abduction Centre
- Children Law UK
Children Law UK was formed in 1974 and is affiliated to the International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates, which holds consultative status to the United Nations.
- National Family Mediation
The National Family Mediation is a not-for-profit family mediation services offering mediation to couples who are or have gone through the process of a separation or divorce.
- National Association of Child Contact Centres
The National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) promotes safe child contact within a national framework of Child Contact Centres.
- National Family and Parenting Institute
The National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) is an independent charity working to support parents in bringing up their children, to promote the wellbeing of families and to make society more family friendly.
- BAAF Adoption and Fostering
BAAF Adoption & Fostering is the leading UK-wide membership organisation promoting the highest standards of child-centred policies and services for children separated from their families of origin.
- National Association of Guardians ad Litem and Reporting Officers (NAGALRO)
The professional association for Children's Guardians and Children and Family Reporters and Independent Social Workers
- Family Mediators Association
The Family Mediators Association trains and supports family mediators who work with couples to look at their options relating to the children, the property and financial matters.
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Medical Profession
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The College advances the art and science of paediatrics, improves standards of medical care to children, and educates and examines doctors in paediatrics. Additionally, the College has a function in providing information to the public on the health care of children
- British Psychological Society
By its Royal Charter the Society is charged with national responsibility for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good
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Legal Research
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University Law Schools
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