Families having too many difficulties getting judge’s rulings

Too many people embroiled in family court fights over children are having difficulties because they cannot get hold of copies of judges’ rulings, an MP said.

John Hemming, who campaigns for improvements in the administration of family justice, said parents struggle to mount appeals because copies of decisions made by judges in local family courts are not available.

Mr Hemming has raised concerns after the Court of Appeal criticised a judge over her handling of a family court hearing involving the future of a six-year-old boy.

Three appeal court judges recently expressed concern about the approach taken by Judge Marcia Levy at a hearing in Barnet, north London.

Lady Justice Macur – the most senior of the three appeal court judges – explained how a deputy district judge initially ruled that the boy should be taken into council care and placed for adoption.

The youngster’s mother appealed and her challenge was considered by the more senior Judge Levy, who ruled against her.

But Lady Justice Macur said Judge Levy had made a decision on the woman’s appeal despite not having a written copy of the deputy district judge’s ruling.

She said the ”only document” available to Judge Levy was a written ”note” of the hearing prepared by a barrister for his instructing solicitor.

“It is an extremely important issue,” said Mr Hemming, Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley.

“I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has highlighted the problem and I hope judges take note.

“All too often people involved in family court litigation struggle to launch appeals because they cannot get copies of judgments made by judges in local family courts.

“It is a common problem people face.”

He added: “Without parties having copies of judgments the legal system cannot work properly.

“How can decisions possibly be challenged if people cannot analyse in detail the ruling that a judge has made?

“It is vital that written judgments are made available to parties, to appeal judges and to journalists so that everyone understands issues and can properly analyse judges’ decisions.”

The boy’s mother had asked the Court of Appeal to intervene after Judge Levy ruled against her.

Appeal court judges ruled that the boy’s case should be reconsidered by a different judge who should not refer to the judgment delivered by Judge Levy.

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