header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
09 June 2023 / David Burrows
Issue: 8028 / Categories: Features , Family
printer mail-detail

A stitch in time in the family courts (Pt 1)

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
125552
How can the family courts achieve hearings ‘within a reasonable time’? David Burrows sets out some practical ideas for speeding up cases
  • Judicial time well spent in case management could save appreciable proportions of hearing time.
  • Some cases now listed in the High Court could be dealt with by lower tier judges, and by assessors as judges.
  • There are arguably some areas of decision-making where professional lawyers (as judges) are not essential to fair disposal of cases.

Article 6.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) states that ‘everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time’. In April, the Law Society expressed its concern at continuing delays in family proceedings and the inadequacy of legal aid.

This article addresses the last few words of the quote from Art 6.1, ‘within a reasonable time’. It aims to provide practical, completely realistic (with administrative will) ideas for speeding up family cases. And this can be done without spending more money on judges or endangering justice. A second article

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: No such thing as a ‘Welsh seat’
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
NLJ this week: Jury reform risks justice for efficiency’s sake
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
NLJ this week: Crypto fightback offers ‘new frontier for law’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
NLJ this week: Time to revive the duty to report crime?
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
NLJ this week: When are experts truly ‘necessary’?
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll