Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Families face challenges in family courts with drawn-out proceedings and mediation needs.
What steps he is taking to increase support for families within the family court system. Families experience drawn-out court proceedings that can harm parents and children, impacting their lives negatively.
Published a consultation on proposals for a funded mandatory mediation and co-parenting programme before court. Invested £15 million in the family mediation voucher scheme, helping about 28,000 more separating families over two years. This will free up court resources for cases needing a judge's hearing.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Victims of domestic abuse face cross-examination by perpetrators in court proceedings.
Does my hon. Friend agree that this Government have taken the necessary steps to prevent perpetrators of domestic violence from being able to question their victims in family court proceedings, and that the family court should never again be a place where victims can be subjected to further abuse from their perpetrators?
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 measure prohibits domestic abuse perpetrators and victims from cross-examining each other in person during certain family and civil proceedings. Family and civil courts engage a court-funded qualified legal representative to conduct cross-examinations in these cases, ensuring protection for those involved.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent experienced toxic court proceedings, and CFCAWS highlighted the harm from drawn-out cases.
In one of my last advice surgeries, a parent described to me their toxic experience of family court. The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service has highlighted the harm posed to children from drawn-out court proceedings. What further measures is the Minister taking to enhance and promote mediation where appropriate, so that the impact of separation is not exacerbated by legal proceedings?
Reviewing all aspects of family law to ensure families stay out of court. Extra £15 million for mediation vouchers will help avoid adversarial situations, using language that ensures children are not scarred by the process, addressing concerns raised.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific measures beyond reviewing and current investments mentioned
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent was dragged back to the family court 25 times by an ex-partner, leading to further trauma.
Over three years, one of my constituents was dragged back to the family court by their ex-partner 25 times. Despite having the bravery to leave an abusive relationship, they faced further trauma as a result of an ex-partner who was able to use the family court system to further control and manipulate them and their child. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the family courts cannot be abused in this way?
The Department is reviewing how we can ensure that people caught up in the family court system are protected from such abuse, but no specific steps mentioned yet.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific measures to prevent abuse of the system
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act cut legal aid expenditure by a third.
The best support that families could get is representation, but the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 virtually abolished private law family legal aid. Since then, legal aid expenditure has been cut by a third, advice is given in three quarters of a million fewer cases and applications for full legal aid have halved, as has the number of providers. Does the Minister think that LASPO has been good or bad for access to justice?
Spent over £813 million on civil legal aid and the means-testing review is expected to widen civil legal aid availability to an extra 2 million people, indicating that investment in the system is substantial and does not fail families or the civil legal aid system.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific evaluation of impact on access to justice beyond stating investment made
Response accuracy