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Looking outside the family

29 April 2010
Issue: 7415 / Categories: Opinion
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There is no shortage of critics of the family justice system. Family charities allege bias in the law so far as it relates to their members, senior judges complain that there is insufficient funding to properly protect children, Ofsted continues to criticise Cafcass, and politicians have finally woken up to the fact that the system should be viewed in its socio-economic and public health context.

There is no shortage of critics of the family justice system. Family charities allege bias in the law so far as it relates to their members, senior judges complain that there is insufficient funding to properly protect children, Ofsted continues to criticise Cafcass, and politicians have finally woken up to the fact that the system should be viewed in its socio-economic and public health context.

Suggestions for improvements range from changes in law, such as in international relocation (or “leave to remove”) cases, to greater transparency in, and the use of mediation and collaboration as an alternative to, family courts, and even to the suggestion that poor parental conduct should be “irrelevant”

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Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
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