Inquiry: Better Outcomes for Separating Families.

This inquiry took evidence from January to March 2024 and is producing a report in the early summer. Evidence session were Jan 29th, February 19th and March 18th. Additional evidence was taken via 15 minute recorded presentations and other published material.

We invited a wide range of contributors to both clarify the issue and bring forward proposals for change which will have broad support.

Read the report

Evidence sessions

Recording of the evidence sessions can be viewed here.

Speakers, January

  1. Prof. Rosemary Hunter. University of Kent. “Reforming the family courts’ approach to domestic abuse.”
  2. Alan Bates.  Barrister, mediator and part-time judge. “How can the family law system do a better job for children whilst public money is tight?”
  3. Andrew Isaacs.  Former Family Court solicitor. “How to ‘win’ in family court.”

Speakers, February

  1. Baroness Butler-Sloss: Former President of the Family Division. “What is happening in the family courts?”
  2. Ros Barton: Match Mothers. “Strengthening mothers who are separated from their children through the family separation process.”
  3. Jude Eyre: Associate Director, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory.  “What we do and don’t know about the adults and children involved in family separation and private law proceedings.”

Speakers, March

  1. Prof. Ben Hine, University of West London. “Family Breakdown, Fathers, Abuse, and Suicide.”
  2. Prof. Gillian Douglas and Ellen Lefley, JUSTICE. “Improving Access to Justice for Separating Families.”
  3. Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division of the High Court. “There has to be a better way.”