Three new members of the Family Justice Council announced

The MOJ have announced that Elizabeth Isaacs QC, Helen Morris and Sara McIlroy have been appointed by the Lord Chancellor, in consultation with the President of the Family Division, to be members of the Family Justice Council (FJC) for 3 years from 2 March 2015.

One of the new members, Elizabeth Isaacs QC, who practices at St Ives Chambers, is a regular speaker at Jordan Publishing conferences, frequently contributes to Family Law and is the latest addition to the Red Book author team.

The FJC was established in July 2004 to promote an inter-disciplinary approach to family justice as an advisory non-departmental public body. It is chaired by the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby. The FJC encourages greater understanding and co-operation between the different agencies in the family justice system and its membership is multi-disciplinary.

Members include:

• family solicitors and barristers
• judges
• academics
• psychiatrists
• local authority lawyers
• mediators
• social workers
• Cafcass representatives

The FJC monitors the effectiveness of the family justice system through consultation and research and acts as ‘critical friend’ by providing advice to the national Family Justice Board and the Government. It advises on the reforms necessary for continuous improvement and plays a key role in the modernisation of the family justice system.

The FJC is also responsible for hosting topical conferences and debates. These posts are unremunerated and subject to security clearance.