Legal experts welcome overhaul of family law system

Government proposals to overhaul the family law system have been welcomed by legal experts and family groups.

The plan would reform aspects of the legal system, including pulling together district, circuit, and high court family law cases in what Justice Minister Alan Shatter said would bring about a “humanising [of] the courts system and ensuring that the judges dealing with cases have the skills and training to do so”.

Geoffrey Shannon, child law expert and co-author of the recent report into the deaths of children known to the child protection services, said the proposals could bring about a family law system that reflected a modern Ireland and that was “fir for purpose”.