Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases: Final Report

This is the final report of the expert panel appointed by the Ministry of Justice to assess how effectively the family courts identify and respond to allegations of domestic abuse and other serious offences, in cases involving disputes between parents about the arrangements for their children, known as ‘private law children proceedings’. It reflects the findings from the call for evidence, following over 1,200 responses from individuals and organisations across England and Wales, together with roundtables and focus groups held with professionals, parents and children with experience of the family courts. Most of the evidence received focused on domestic abuse. The report makes findings in relation to both the processes and the outcomes for parties and children involved in such proceedings The panel makes several recommendations for next steps to be taken forward by the family justice system.