Press Notice
Improving Justice For Families
1st July 2004
Making life better for children and families who come into contact with the family justice system is the aim of a new Government body.
Members of the newly appointed Family Justice Council, all highly respected leaders in their respective fields, will meet every three months and advise on how the family justice system can be improved.
Family Justice Minister Lord Filkin said:
"The family justice system plays a crucial role in protecting vulnerable people at stressful times. These people might be abuse victims or they might be experiencing a traumatic family breakdown.
"Many children and families come into contact with the family justice system each year. This new Council will play a crucial role in improving the way their cases are handled.
"Members will use their wealth of personal and professional experience to look at the family justice system and identify how it can be improved for the benefit of those who come into contact with it.
"The family justice system cannot work effectively without the contributions of all involved. This new body will guarantee better communication between the different agencies, ensuring a more joined up approach to family justice for the benefit of those who matter - the children and families.
"The Family Justice Council will build on the existing good work of an inter-disciplinary committee, which has been chaired by senior judge Lord Justice Thorpe, to improve the way agencies work together and so ensure better delivery of justice."
The Family Justice Council is made up of 19 members representing professionals, academics and users who will give their time voluntarily. Additionally, there are a further 10 ex officio members from government departments and agencies.
Its terms of reference are:
To facilitate the delivery of better and quicker outcomes for families and children who use the family justice system, by:
- Promoting improved interdisciplinary working across the family justice system through inclusive discussion, communication and co-ordination between all agencies.
- Identifying and disseminating best practice throughout the family justice system by facilitating a mutual exchange of information between local committees and the council, including information on local initiatives.
- Consulting with Government Departments on current policy and priorities.
- Working to secure improvements consistent with current government policy and priorities, and securing best value from available resources.
- Providing guidance and direction to achieve consistency of practice throughout the family justice system and submitting proposals for new practice directions where appropriate.
- Promoting commitment to legislative principles and the objectives of the family justice system by disseminating advice and promoting inter-agency discussion, including seminars and conferences as appropriate.
- Promoting the effectiveness of the family justice system by identifying priorities for, and encouraging the conduct of, research.
- Providing advice and making recommendation to Government on changes to legislation, practice and procedure which will improve the workings of the family justice system.
Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss DBE, Chair of the Family Justice Council, said:
"There is a lot of good work going on in the family justice system. This new council will ensure expertise and good work is more focused by avoiding duplication and building on best practice.
"Family cases are perhaps the most difficult for courts. Such personal problems are often very complex and involve painful decisions for all involved.
"With its aim of improving outcomes for children and families, this new council should help some of the most vulnerable members of society in troubled times."
Notes to Editors
- The Family Justice Council has been formed following a consultation paper, 'Promoting inter-agency working in the family justice system'
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The new members of the Family Justice Council are:
- Chair: Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss DBE, President of the Family Division of the High Court
- Deputy Chair: The Honorable Lord Justice Thorpe
- The Honorable Dame Justice Florence Baron (High Court Judge)
- Her Honour Judge Lesley Newton (Circuit Judge)
- District Judge Marilyn Mornington
- District Judge Nicholas Crichton (Magistrates' Courts)
- Malcolm Richardson (Magistrate)
- Elaine Laken (Justices' Clerk)
- Paul Clark (Director of Children's Services, Harrow)
- Stephen Cobb QC (Family Barrister)
- Khatun Sapnara (Family Barrister)
- Jane Craig (Family Solicitor)
- Katherine Gieve (Family Solicitor)
- Vicky Leach (Family Mediator)
- Professor Judith Masson (Academic)
- Professor Corrine May-Chahal (Consumers' Point of View)
- Dr Rosalyn Proops (Paediatrician)
- Dr Danya Glaser (Child Mental Health Specialist)
- Ex officio members include:
Peter Clarke, Children's Commissioner for Wales and representatives from: Department for Constitutional Affairs, Department of Health, Home Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Department for Education and Skills, Her Majesty's Courts Service, Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), Legal Services Commission, Association of Chief Police Officers
- The Family Justice Council covers England and Wales only
- One further appointment will be made. Most of the appointments to the Family Justice Council were made in line with Office for the Commission of Public Appointments (OCPA) guidelines. Two exceptions were made where there was only a single applicant for the post. In these cases, the Secretary of State decided to steer away from OCPA guidelines and appoint without the formal interview process required by OCPA.