Family Justice Review Analysis: Mark Paulson, The Law Society

The Ministry of Justice today published the Family Justice Review's final report. The report's recommendations will need careful studying by everyone working in family justice - judges lawyers social workers and guardians. Although there have been seven reviews since the Children Act 1989 none of which have led to lasting change this is by far the most comprehensive report yet so it might just be eighth time lucky.

As the review says family justice is failing children and families. Delays in public law cases are little sort of a national disgrace with care and supervision cases taking on average over a year - and that figure has grown worse even in the six months since the FJR's interim report was published. The system is also failing the dedicated individuals working within family justice: morale is low and there is a lack of trust and collaboration between different parts of the system.

In 1991 when the Children Act 1989 came...

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