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29 April 2010
Issue: 7415 / Categories: Opinion
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Looking outside the family

There is no shortage of critics of the family justice system. Family charities allege bias in the law so far as it relates to their members, senior judges complain that there is insufficient funding to properly protect children, Ofsted continues to criticise Cafcass, and politicians have finally woken up to the fact that the system should be viewed in its socio-economic and public health context.

There is no shortage of critics of the family justice system. Family charities allege bias in the law so far as it relates to their members, senior judges complain that there is insufficient funding to properly protect children, Ofsted continues to criticise Cafcass, and politicians have finally woken up to the fact that the system should be viewed in its socio-economic and public health context.

Suggestions for improvements range from changes in law, such as in international relocation (or “leave to remove”) cases, to greater transparency in, and the use of mediation and collaboration as an alternative to, family courts, and even to the suggestion that poor parental conduct should be “irrelevant” to the question of residence and contact (which typically would

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hogan Lovells—Lisa Quelch

Hogan Lovells—Lisa Quelch

Partner hire strengthens global infrastructure and energy financing practice

Sherrards—Jan Kunstyr

Sherrards—Jan Kunstyr

Legal director bolsters international expertise in dispute resolution team

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Corporate governance and company law specialist joins the team

NEWS

NOTICE UNDER THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925

HERBERT SMITH STAFF PENSION SCHEME (THE “SCHEME”)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND BENEFICIARIES UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925
Law firm HFW is offering clients lawyers on call for dawn raids, sanctions issues and other regulatory emergencies
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Non-molestation orders are meant to be the frontline defence against domestic abuse, yet their enforcement often falls short. Writing in NLJ this week, Jeni Kavanagh, Jessica Mortimer and Oliver Kavanagh analyse why the criminalisation of breach has failed to deliver consistent protection
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