Amandeep Gill's Analysis: Voice of the child, publicity and child witnesses

Voice of the child publicity and child witnesses

During the last 5 years increasing importance has been attached to hearing the voice of the child in family law proceedings.  The Family Justice Council have recently published guidance for the judiciary who are prepared to meet with children that are the subject of proceedings.

Last month the Court of Appeal endorsed a decision given by Mrs Justice Black who held that an 8 year old and his 5 year old sibling had reached an age and degree of maturity at which it was appropriate to take account of their views in Hague proceedings (W v W [2010] EWHC 332).

This theme continued at Jordans children law and practice conference earlier this week when the deputy children's commissioner for England Sue Berelowitz presented a paper about children's participation and the courts. Research has shown that children are keen...

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