Examination of Witnesses (Questions 98-99)
7 DECEMBER 2004
CHRISTINA BLACKLAWS,
HILARY LLOYD,
KIM BEATSON,
CHRISTOPHER GOULDEN
AND PHILIP
MOOR QC
Chairman: Good morning and welcome everyone.
We have got a splendid team of witnesses and we are very glad
to have you with us. We have Philip Moor, from the Family Law
Bar Association; Kim Beatson and Christopher Goulden from The
Solicitors Family Law Association; and Christina Blacklaws and
Hilary Lloyd from The Law Society. You are all very welcome. I
think we had just better declare any interests.
Mr Cranston: I am a barrister.
Keith Vaz: My wife holds a part-time
judicial post and I am a non-practising barrister.
Chairman: Please do not feel obliged
to answer every question. Between you I think we can have a very
good source of ideas and comments. On the other hand, if something
is said which you feel does not reflect your own standpoint by
all means feel free to indicate that you want to contribute on
that point as well. Mr Soley?
Q98 Mr Soley: I would like to know about
the feeling of dissatisfaction by parents with family courts generally.
We are told that there is quite a high level of dissatisfaction.
First of all, do you think that is correct? Secondly, what do
you think the cause of it is? Bearing in mind the Chairman's comments
that you do not all have to answer, but in a way it crosses all
your expertise, so who wants to start?
Christopher Goulden: If I could
comment first. I feel sure that most people would agree that what
parents particularly object to about the family justice system
is the length of time it takes to get anything done, and there
are a number of reasons for that, but delay is a great source
of dissatisfaction.
Q99 Mr Soley: Okay, that is delay. What
about process?
Christopher Goulden: The process
itself to an extent they would have objections to because they
find it an uncomfortable process but, ultimately, they have an
idea of what they want and they have an idea of when they want
it and so long as those two are met I do not suppose they would
actually object to the actual process itself.
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