Family Justice Review final report - campaign success

In 2011, the Family Justice Review published its final report with recommendations for reforming the family justice system. The report states very clearly that the best interests of the child must remain the primary consideration when parents make decisions about their children after separation.

This is good news and campaigning success for Gingerbread. This essential principle promotes positive relationships between the child and both their parents where that is in the child’s interest, while protecting children from unsafe contact or damaging parental conflict. We’ve been working hard over the last 18 months to ensure that the needs and wishes of children continue to be the top priority when there is a dispute between parents about contact.

Much of the report’s focus is on better access to alternative ways of resolving disputes with the aim of helping parents avoid court where possible. Gingerbread welcomes this, but we are concerned that without substantial investment, alternatives to court will be underfunded and overstretched. Sometimes it is necessary to go to court to resolve complex and difficult issues. This is an expensive process and if reforms to legal aid go ahead next year many parents on low incomes will no longer receive help with legal costs. Gingerbread will continue to campaign for a cost-effective, fair and accessible family justice system.

Press release: Gingerbread welcomes Family Law Review

Withdrawal of legal aid from single parent families represents failure in justice system

Sound Off For Justice: Gingerbread from SOUND OFF FOR JUSTICE on Vimeo.

Please sign the Sound Off For Justice petition to safeguard Legal Aid, a key component of the British justice system for over 60 years. Sign up now at www.soundoffforjustice.org/sign-our-letter