Child role in court cases under review
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Judges and solicitors are investigating ways to improve children and young people's involvement in family court proceedings.
The Family Justice Council staged a debate on the issue this week, looking at options such as children meeting judges after a decision is made. Arguments against greater involvement are also being discussed.
"We want to start a debate to see how children can be directly involved," said Nicholas Crichton, chair of the council's voice of the child sub-committee.
Courts have a duty to listen to children and young people involved in proceedings under the Children Act 1989. This is currently done through a third party such as a Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass) guardian.
