The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has published a report providing his conclusions following a review of the provisions on transparency in the family courts. He outlines that “the present system in the Family Courts whereby a journalist may attend any hearing but may not always report what they observe, is not […]
Special measures are provisions available under the direction of the court to aid vulnerable parties to give evidence or participate in court proceedings. Provision for special measures in family proceedings is made in Part 3A of the Family Procedure Rules 2010, supported by Practice Direction 3AA. These rules provide that victims of domestic abuse, and […]
NEWS Cafcass launched its relationship-based practice framework called “Together with children and families” in September this year. Cafcass state on their website that this new framework sets out the importance of working with children and their families, based on developing trusting relationships and where listening, understanding, clear reasoning, respect and integrity are prioritised. Cafcass outline […]
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner is an independent voice that speaks on behalf of victims and survivors. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner has called for urgent funding and more dedicated specialist court support after a new report – Understanding Court Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse 2021, revealed that 89 per cent of domestic abuse survivors do not […]
Rights of Women are a women’s charity working in a variety of ways to help assist, guide and support women through the law. Their aim is to provide women with legal advice and information that they need and require to understand and use the law and their legal rights. Rights of Women also campaign on […]
Women’s McKenzie Friend. Support through Court. Swindon, Salisbury and Oxford. Women’s McKenzie Friend Blog is written by Mary Cosker. As a frustrated writer it affords me the opportunity to practice on you, the reader! I believe the context of our lives is as integral to our world as any specifics – so my blog is […]
A definition of “domestic abuse” is now outlined in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Within this definition Economic Abuse is recognised in law for the very first time. The Act defines economic abuse as any behaviour that has a substantial and adverse effect on an individual’s ability to: (a) acquire, use or maintain money or […]
The Domestic Abuse Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April and has been signed into law, becoming the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. So how should the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 help victims of domestic abuse? There are a number of key introductions within the act that should promote protection and safety of survivors of abuse. […]