Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Paragraph: 2
MPs need to visit family courts to understand daily justice system issues.
Conclusion
We would encourage every family court in England and Wales to invite their local MPs to visit so that they can hear accounts of the issues facing the family justice system from those who are responsible for delivering justice on a daily basis.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights that the President of the Family Division already encouraged District Family Judges to invite local MPs to visit their courts, and HMCTS will support and facilitate such visits.
Paragraph Reference:
2
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6. Court and tribunal hearings in England and Wales usually take place in public and, as such, we encourage everyone in our society – including journalists, academics, and Members of Parliament (MPs) – to visit our courts and tribunals to see justice being delivered. 7. In October 2021, the President of the Family Division (PFD) published his review of transparency in the family courts.7 The review advocates for a paradigm shift that allows 1 https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmjust/339/summary.html 2 Based on Lord Chief Justice Hewart’s remarks in R v Sussex Justices 1924. 3 https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/convention_eng.pdf 4 https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about 5 https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/ 6 https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service/about 7 https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/transparency-in-the-family-courts-report-3/ for fewer reporting restrictions so the work of the family courts can be better understood. This will enhance public confidence in the family justice system while, importantly, maintaining the privacy of court users. 8. In this review, the PFD encouraged District Family Judges to write to local MPs inviting them to visit their local family courts to aid their understanding of this vital part of the justice system.8 HMCTS will, of course, support this endeavour and facilitate visits where MPs take up this offer. 9. The Government recognises the important role MPs undertake in their constituencies and local communities. We welcome MP visits to all our court and tribunal buildings so they can better understand how the justice system works and see our hard-working judges and court staff in action.