Wednesday Mar 12
Judges handling private children law cases should be encouraged to listen directly to the children involved, in the opinion of the President of the Family Division, Sir Mark Potter. He made his views clear on this topic at the inaugural Resolution Annual Family Law Lecture where he was speaking on the theme of "Does the family justice system serve the needs of children?". Speaking from his own experience, and that of the approach on the Continent where judges often speak directly to the children, he made it clear that such actions should be encouraged provided that both parties were made aware of the views expressed.
Voice of the child is often key to resolving family disputes, says President
Judges handling private children law cases should be encouraged to listen directly to the children involved, in the opinion of the President of the Family Division, Sir Mark Potter. He made his views clear on this topic at the inaugural Resolution Annual Family Law Lecture where he was speaking on the theme of "Does the family justice system serve the needs of children?". Speaking from his own experience, and that of the approach on the Continent where judges often speak directly to the children, he made it clear that such actions should be encouraged provided that both parties were made aware of the views expressed.
He also announced that he would repeal the most recent practice direction on separate representation of the child under rule 95 and restore the position to the previous practice direction as there had been no evidence that it had been misapplied.
The lecture was held at the RSA in John Adam Street on 6 March 2008.
10 March 2008
