Cuts warning over family courts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A senior judge warned yesterday that family courts are near "breaking point" and are being undermined by heavy budget cuts. The courts already face lengthy delays, a scarcity of expert witnesses and strains caused by increased media access – pressures that could jeopardise child welfare, Mr Justice Coleridge said.
"We don't need anything further done to increase the fragility of the family justice system, which is already near breaking point," said the High Court judge. The warning came as he chaired the annual conference of the Family Bar Law Association (FBLA) yesterday. "We've just been told that our budget has been cut by 8.5 per cent in real terms; there will be cuts across the country."
On Friday, senior judges met officials from Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS) to discuss proposed court budgets for next year, which will be announced in March.
At the FBLA conference. Mr Justice Coleridge highlighted the pressures that increased media access could put on the courts: "We're looking at increasing delays, which means jeopardising children's welfare."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments