Attached the speech by the President of the Family Division on reforms that should take place and current situation. It's quite long and not all of it on Child Arrangements, but he cites digital hearings etc as speeding things up:
"- Divorce now takes 20 weeks from start to finish
- Financial remedy consents are dealt with in 3 weeks
- C100 applications are going to gatekeeping teams within 2 days of receipt
- The FPL provides fully digital files for the judiciary."
Good to hear that C100's go to gatekeeping within 2 days of receipt - meaning they will be listed for a first hearing earlier. Although from what I've read elsewhere, the difficult at the moment is a shortage of staff in courts, including a shortage of Judges and Judges not being able to get basic admin sorted due to shortage of other staff - causing delays to hearing dates.
These things are on his "to do list" for the next 3 years
"- Divorce now takes 20 weeks from start to finish
- Financial remedy consents are dealt with in 3 weeks
- C100 applications are going to gatekeeping teams within 2 days of receipt
- The FPL provides fully digital files for the judiciary."
Good to hear that C100's go to gatekeeping within 2 days of receipt - meaning they will be listed for a first hearing earlier. Although from what I've read elsewhere, the difficult at the moment is a shortage of staff in courts, including a shortage of Judges and Judges not being able to get basic admin sorted due to shortage of other staff - causing delays to hearing dates.
These things are on his "to do list" for the next 3 years
- Delivering the implementation of the long-running Digital Reform Programme for Civil, Family and Tribunals
- Ensure everyone abides by the recommendations of the Public Law Working Groups.
- Move the Family Court out of its silo and work effectively with other jurisdictions.
- Protect and enhance the well being of everyone involved in the delivery of family justice.