NEW BODY TO OVERSEE FAMILY COURT RULES

8 Nov 2004 06:45 PM

A new body charged with the aim of producing better outcomes for those who go through the family justice system is to have its first meeting this week.

Made up of judges, lawyers and lay people who work at all levels of the family justice system, the Family Procedure Rule Committee will be responsible for making rules of court for all family proceedings, including adoption proceedings, in the High Court, county courts and magistrates courts. The committee, which will build on the work of various committees, will meet for the first time this week and will work towards making its first rules next summer.

Family Justice Minister Baroness Ashton said:

"I am pleased that so many people from the front line of the family justice system have put their names forward for this new body that should make life easier for those involved in some of the most sensitive cases in the civil courts.

"Over time it should improve the way the family justice system works. Presently, different people and groups make up the procedural rules for the different levels of family proceedings. Providing one single set of rules for family proceedings will make the system easier to understand and follow, for all concerned but particularly for those who use the family courts. Its rules will be simple and simply expressed.

"The committee is an important part of our wider agenda for better outcomes for those who use the family justice system. It should make the family courts more accessible and efficient."

Based on the model of the Civil Procedure Rules Committee, the Family Procedure Rule Committee will have administrative support from the Department for Constitutional Affairs. New rules will be drafted by the department's legal advisers for consideration by the committee.

It is expected the committee will meet each month to discuss ways of improving the family justice system.

Notes to Editors
1. The members of the Family Procedure Rule Committee are: Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss DBE - President of the Family Division ex officio
Lord Justice Wall - Court of Appeal Judge
Mr Justice Charles - High Court Judge
Her Honour Judge Finnerty - Circuit Judge
Senior District Judge Waller - Senior District Judge (Principal Registry of the Family Division)
District Judge Adam - District Judge (county courts)
District Judge Marshall - District Judge (magistrates' courts) Martyn Cook - Lay Justice
John Baker - Justices' Clerk
Jane Probyn - Barrister
Charles Hyde - Barrister
Susan Jones - Barrister
David Salter - Solicitor
Bruce Edington - Solicitor
Clive Redley - Solicitor
Charles Prest - Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)

2. All appointments to this lower tier Non-Departmental Public Body, with the exception of the President (ex officio), have been made in accordance with the Office of the Commission for Public Appointments Code of Practice. All appointments, with the exception of the ex-officio member, have been made on merit and political activity has played no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. None of the appointees declared any political activity on the questionnaire that they were required to complete during the application process. Appointments to these positions, which are unpaid, have been made for periods of between two and four years to provide the Committee with continuity.