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The Head of the Family Division warned that he and the state would have ‘blood on our hands’ if a hospital bed was not found for a teenager due to be released from youth custody.
In an unprecedented speech, Sir James Munby said he felt ‘powerless’ that he was unable to do more to help the 17-year-old, known as X, who had made several ‘determined’ attempts to commit suicide, after he was told there were not enough beds in the country.
He said: ‘If this is the best we can do for X, and others in similar crisis, what right do we, what right do the system, our society and indeed the state itself, have to call ourselves civilised?
‘The honest answer to this question should make us all feel ashamed. For my own part, acutely conscious of my powerlessness – of my inability to do more for X – I feel shame and embarrassment; shame, as a human being, as a citizen and as an agent of the state, embarrassment as president of the family division, and, as such, head of family justice, that I can do no more for X.’
Days later, Mr Justice Mostyn warned the government to reform child maintenance rules, as he ordered a father with assets of more than £5m, but who said he could only afford to pay £7 a week, to pay £20,000.
The Head of the Family Division warned that he and the state would have ‘blood on our hands’ if a hospital bed was not found for a teenager due to be released from youth custody.
In an unprecedented speech, Sir James Munby said he felt ‘powerless’ that he was unable to do more to help the 17-year-old, known as X, who had made several ‘determined’ attempts to commit suicide, after he was told there were not enough beds in the country.
He said: ‘If this is the best we can do for X, and others in similar crisis, what right do we, what right do the system, our society and indeed the state itself, have to call ourselves civilised?
‘The honest answer to this question should make us all feel ashamed. For my own part, acutely conscious of my powerlessness – of my inability to do more for X – I feel shame and embarrassment; shame, as a human being, as a citizen and as an agent of the state, embarrassment as president of the family division, and, as such, head of family justice, that I can do no more for X.’
Days later, Mr Justice Mostyn warned the government to reform child maintenance rules, as he ordered a father with assets of more than £5m, but who said he could only afford to pay £7 a week, to pay £20,000.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
