In his recent Politics Home article, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP highlights the significant delays in the progression of private law cases in magistrates’ courts. He writes about the extent and negative effect of these delays, particularly on the children involved in proceedings. However, the solution that he proposes – that family magistrates no longer hear private law cases – would make the situation worse, not better.
Tracy Sortwell JP, chair of the Magistrates’ Association family court committee, wrote an opinion piece for Politics Home in response to his article. Have a read: https://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/magistrates-essential-efficient-family-justice-system
We’ll continue speaking to the media on our members’ behalf about the issues that matter most to them, as well as clearing up as many misconceptions about magistrates and their work as we can.
