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Northern Ireland Family Court 'Scary,' Parents Claim
28 Nov
Summary
- Northern Ireland family court system described as 'scary' by users.
- Parents deem the current family court system 'not fit for purpose'.
- The Lady Chief Justice highlighted funding as a major 'elephant in the room'.
The family court system in Northern Ireland is facing severe criticism, with parents describing it as both "scary" and "not fit for purpose." These courts are integral to society, making thousands of crucial rulings annually on sensitive matters like adoption, divorce, and child custody arrangements.
In response to these concerns, the Lady Chief Justice has called for the establishment of specialist courts. These proposed facilities would offer better resources and dedicated time to manage cases more effectively, aiming to alleviate some of the current system's pressures.
However, a significant obstacle remains: funding. The Lady Chief Justice pointed to the "elephant in the room" – the insufficient financial resources allocated to family justice, a problem that impacts the broader justice sector as well.
