Family Law

Speaking at Resolution's national conference in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the outgoing Judge in Charge of the Modernisation of Family Justice talked of a "revolutionary culture of change" within the family justice system.

In a keynote speech to over 300 family law professionals earlier today, Lord Justice Ryder set out a range of measures, heralding a sea-change in the operation of family justice.

Ahead of the introduction of a single family court in April 2014, Lord Justice Ryder highlighted the wide range of documentation and guidance that will be made available, as the judiciary, practitioners and clients prepare for the change. There is to be no "big bang", he said, but rather an incremental approach, which is far more likely to see people sign up to the huge changes ahead.

The aim, he said, was to "create a new court and better processes that work in the real world," in order to ensure that family justice becomes increasingly inquisitorial rather than adversarial.

He paid tribute to Resolution, acknowledging the organisation's "enormous and considerable contribution to the modernisation programme."

Lord Justice Ryder recognised the value of lawyers in analysing issues and evidence, and settling as many aspects of each case as possible. He said that in public law, there would be huge reduction in papers filed with the court.

Resolution Chair Liz Edwards welcomed Lord Justice Ryder's speech saying: "Resolution is honoured that Lord Justice Ryder chose our national conference to set out the path to a single family court in April 2014.

"I am proud of the positive and productive relationship we have enjoyed with him in his role as Judge in Charge of the Modernisation of Family Justice and we look forward to continuing to play a leading role as these changes unfold."

Lord Justice Ryder, formerly the Judge in Charge of the Modernisation of Family Justice, was the keynote speaker at the annual conference of Resolution.