Legal experts welcome overhaul of family law system
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”.
“It will promote more civilised resolution of matrimonial disputes,” he said.
“The outcome is that it is likely to be more child-centred and less acrimonious.
“It is not just the courts system that will benefit, but society will benefit.”
The proposals would require constitutional change.
Tom O’Connor of the Unmarried and Separated Parents of Ireland (USPI) group said: “Anything that can make the courts service more user-friendly and take the bitterness and acrimony out of the situation is more than welcome.”
Noeline Blackwell of the Free Legal Advice Centres (Flac) said: “This is something that is certainly to be welcomed. People will feel less intimidated and more able to have a fair hearing.”
She also said there was scope for revision of the in-camera rule which might mean people had a better appreciation of what occurred during family law proceedings.
