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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.
On both fronts – representing the Bar’s interests and protecting the rule of law
Kate West discusses how best to interpret a drug test report, and the common misconceptions about what can be learnt from a drug test
Ashley Hodgkinson looks at drug testing methods and some of the most common ways people try to cheat a drug test
Clerksroom Chambers has recruited Matthew Wildish from 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) to a newly created position of Director of Clerking. Matthew joined the team at Clerksroom on 1 June
... have you seen through yours? asks Julian Morgan
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Clerksroom Chambers has recruited Matthew Wildish from 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) to a newly created position of Director of Clerking. Matthew joined the team at Clerksroom on 1 June
Ashley Hodgkinson looks at drug testing methods and some of the most common ways people try to cheat a drug test
Kate West discusses how best to interpret a drug test report, and the common misconceptions about what can be learnt from a drug test
