Our work
Background | Terms of reference of the Family Justice Council | Activities | Business plan | Annual reports | Speeches, reports, press notices and consultation papers | Our responses to consultation papers | Papers drafted by our committees
Background
The Family Justice Council (FJC) was established in 2004 with the aim of stimulating better and quicker outcomes for families and in the family court service. The Council sits between government and the courts of the family justice system. It speaks with both the experience of its members, all eminent in their fields, and an understanding of the realities of the system on the ground as perceived by its 39 Local Family Justice Councils.
The national Council of 30 members meets quarterly and includes expertise from the legal (judges, barristers, solicitors), medical (a paediatrician and a child psychiatrist) and social care (Cafcass representation and a Director of Children's services) worlds.
It is supported by a dedicated secretariat based in the Royal Courts of Justice. The Family Justice Council has authority to appoint sub-committees or working groups to do detailed work where needed.
Terms of Reference of the Family Justice Council
The Council's key roles are to:
- Promote an inter-disciplinary approach to family justice
- monitor how effectively the system delivers the service the Government and the public need and,
- advise on reforms necessary for continuous improvement
It is specifically charged with:
- Promoting improved inter-disciplinary working across the family justice system through discussion and co-ordination between all agencies
- identifying and disseminating best practice throughout the family justice system by facilitating an exchange of information between local family justice councils and the national Council, and by identifying priorities for, and encouraging the conduct of, research
- providing guidance and direction to achieve consistency of practice throughout the family justice system and submitting proposals for new practice directions where appropriate, and
- providing advice and making recommendations to government on changes to legislation, practice and procedure, which will improve the workings of the family justice system.
Business Plan
A Business Plan is agreed with Ministers at the Ministry of Justice for each years' activities.
- Business Plan for 2010 -11
- Business Plan for 2009-10
- Report on progress against Business plan 2009-10
Annual reports
Factsheets
- Cohabitation
- Forced Marriage
- Child participation in family proceedings
- Public law family court fees
- The effects of new legislation on domestic violence
- Medical Experts in family law cases
Meetings with Stakeholders
- Family Justice Council Event - The Impact of Recent Developments in Domestic Violence on BME and Other Minority Communities [17 June 2009]
Speeches, Reports, Press Notices and Consultation Papers
- Summary findings on Impact of the Public Outline on Family Group Conferences Services in England and Wales [November 2009]
- Report on the Impact of Public law Outline on Family Group Conference Services in England and Wales [November 2009]
- Outcomes of applications to court for contact orders after parental separation or divorce [Published on 25 September 2008]
- Linked care and Placement Order Proceedings - updated guidance [7 July 2008]
Our responses to consultation papers
- Response of the Family Justice Council to the Family and Friends Care Guidance Consultation. [June 2010]
- Response of Committees of the Family Justice Council to Consultation Questions - Support for All: The Families and Relationships Green Paper [May 2010]
- Annex A :Certificate of ADR assessment [May2010]
- Annex B: Choosing the right process [May 2010]
- Annex C: Flow chart re compulsory assessment [May 2010]
- Response of the FJC to the Legal Aid Funding Reform Consultation - reponses to questionnaire [November 2009]
- Response of the FJC to the Legal Aid Funding Reform Consultation - Questionnaire [The repsonse to the questions are in the document above. November 2009]
- Response of the Family Justice Council to the DCSF on Promoting the health and wellbeing of looked after children - Revised Statutory Guidance [3 August 2009]
- Response of the Family Justice Council to the Consultation on Family Legal Aid funding from 2010 [April 2009]
- Civil Bid Rounds 2010 contracts LSC Consultation [January 2009]
Papers drafted by our Committees
- Guidelines for Judges Meeting Children who are subject to Family Proceedings Produced by the Voice of the Child Sub-Group
- Parents who lack capacity produced by the Public Law committee - May 2010
- Baby P - produced by the Children in Safeguarding Committee. December 2008
- Mapping Exercise on Inter-disciplinary Training - produced by the Education and Training committee
- Enhancing the Participation of Children and Young People in Famiy Proceedings: Starting the Debate - produced by the Voice of the Child Committee March 2008
- Family Mediation - the context
- Mapping an inclusive curriculum for CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for family justice professionals - Produced by the Education and Training Sub-Committee January 2005