*/
Court fees for child care proceedings could be abolished, following a recommendation in the Lord Laming report on child protection.
The report, commissioned by Children’s Secretary Ed Balls MP in the wake of the Baby P tragedy, makes 58 recommendations for change, including abolishing the court fees for child care cases—which rose 3,000% in May 2008—from 2010/11.
It warns there has been an “over-emphasis on process and targets” rather than tackling risks, which has caused social workers to lose confidence.
Desmond Browne QC, Chairman of the Bar, commented: “The Bar Council has consistently warned about the effect of the enormous rise in court fees...on local authorities’ ability to initiate child care proceedings. It was inevitable that an increase from £150 to £4,825 for a fully contested matter would deter some authorities from acting.”
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has appointed Francis Plowden, a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission, to lead an independent review into court fees in public law cases to assess whether they do act as a deterrent in commencing care proceedings.
“If there is evidence that they are a barrier for local authorities when deciding whether to proceed with a care order for a vulnerable child, we will abolish them,” said Ed Balls.
The report, commissioned by Children’s Secretary Ed Balls MP in the wake of the Baby P tragedy, makes 58 recommendations for change, including abolishing the court fees for child care cases—which rose 3,000% in May 2008—from 2010/11.
It warns there has been an “over-emphasis on process and targets” rather than tackling risks, which has caused social workers to lose confidence.
Desmond Browne QC, Chairman of the Bar, commented: “The Bar Council has consistently warned about the effect of the enormous rise in court fees...on local authorities’ ability to initiate child care proceedings. It was inevitable that an increase from £150 to £4,825 for a fully contested matter would deter some authorities from acting.”
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has appointed Francis Plowden, a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission, to lead an independent review into court fees in public law cases to assess whether they do act as a deterrent in commencing care proceedings.
“If there is evidence that they are a barrier for local authorities when deciding whether to proceed with a care order for a vulnerable child, we will abolish them,” said Ed Balls.
Court fees for child care proceedings could be abolished, following a recommendation in the Lord Laming report on child protection.
Signs of real change – more work to be done
Philip N Bristow explains how to unlock your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step
With the property market witnessing significant changes since the beginning of the pandemic, Fleet Street Wealth’s Managing Director Julian Morgan considers the future of the home, the second home and the office
In partnership with the Bar Council, LexisNexis is offering up to 60% off its extensive webinar offering.
Chambers is expanding its team.
Making a move from the Bar to a career in governance: Maria Brookes outlines three good reasons to switch and how to do it
The pandemic and widespread introduction of remote hearings has been an interesting start to a career at the Bar: Lola-Rose Avery shares a day in her life
Bridging the Bar (BTB) is opening up the Bar to people from non-traditional backgrounds. BTB mentor, Laurence Cooper and his mentee, Jake Acock chat about the mentoring scheme
Your guide to making it as a NY attorney and practical issues for English barristers. By Teresa Rosen Peacocke and Alex Haines
Jason M Hadden's ultimate top ten of TV legal dramas
Politicians 'getting tough on crime' should note two pioneering, results-based, rehabilitative schemes in Durham and Hertfordshire which are slashing reoffending rates, write Tori Adams andSin Beaven
