*/
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.
Chair of the Bar reflects on 2025
AlphaBiolabs has donated £500 to The Christie Charity through its Giving Back initiative, helping to support cancer care, treatment and research across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and further afield
Q&A with criminal barrister Nick Murphy, who moved to New Park Court Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit in search of a better work-life balance
Revolt Cycling in Holborn, London’s first sustainable fitness studio, invites barristers to join the revolution – turning pedal power into clean energy
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, reflects on how the company’s Giving Back ethos continues to make a difference to communities across the UK
By Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Are you ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC explains the biggest change since HMRC launched self-assessment more than 30 years ago... and its impact on the Bar
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC present their best buys for this holiday season
Oscar Davies shares their lessons learnt
Little has changed since Burns v Burns . Cohabiting couples deserve better than to be left on the blasted heath with the existing witch’s brew for another four decades, argues Christopher Stirling
Pointillism, radical politics and social conscience. Review by Stephen Cragg KC
