- 4 updates
Family Court changes come into effect to 'protect children'
A single Family Court to preside over divorce and child custody cases comes into effect today, as part of a major shake-up of the family justice system. The court will replace three separate tiers that currently deal with family proceedings.
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Mediation made divorce 'more respectful'
Mediation can make divorce "more respectful" and help the splitting couple from arguing unnecessarily, according to one mother.
Natasha Brittan told Daybreak sitting down with her estranged husband and an impartial referee with legal knowledge had helped them have an amicable divorce.
"It just made everything more respectful, kinder and we did not want, or certainly I did not want my divorce to define the rest of my life.
"We just wanted to look after our children, our wider circle of friends and family by having a good divorce and a respectful divorce."
Govt: Children in court battles 'failed by the system'
Family Courts are being brought in because children caught up in the middle of a custody battle or divorce have been "failed by the system", according to a justice minister.
Simon Hughes told Daybreak divorce, custody and care cases were held back the "three different types of court" they could be heard at.
"You could go to the Magistrates Court for something and the County Court for other things and the High Court for other things.
"Then you find it's a really long process, then you find it was often a very confrontational process.
"So in the end the children are the people who suffer the most - often the couples suffer, but the children suffer most."
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Senior judge: Family court 'a cultural revolution'
The introduction of a single Family Court in England and Wales is "a cultural revolution", according to one of Britain's most senior judges.
Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division said:
Single Family Courts come into effect
A single Family Court dealing with divorce and custody cases comes into effect today as part of Government plans to speed up official proceedings.
The single Family Court for England and Wales replaces three separate tiers of court that currently deal with the family justice system.
There will also be a new 26-week time limit for care proceedings, expert witnesses can only be called when necessary and compulsory family mediation meetings so separating couples consider alternatives to court battles.
Liberal Democrat family justice minister Simon Hughes said: "For too long children have suffered from excessive delays and confrontational court battles.
"Our reforms will keep families away from negative effects of battles or delays in court and make sure that when cases do go to court they happen in the least damaging way."