CAFCASS

Posted on | September 12, 2008 | No Comments

Just guess how long s7 reports in private children disputes are taking round here? 8-9 months! What a complete disaster. Its got so bad that the Judges appear to be abandoning CAFCASS altogether and ordering reports from Independent Social Workers.

.

The irony of this is that whilst the Government is busy underfunding CAFCASS the work has got to be done – and paid for – and these reports are having to be paid for through the parents legal aid certificates – either way the Government pays. And no doubt if CAFCASS were properly funded and run it could do the work far cheaper than could be done through ISWs so although its presently the only solution in many cases its not fiscally sensible in the long run.

.

What IS a problem however is this: what happens if one or both parents aren’t legally aided? They can’t be expected to pay for the failure of a service (CAFCASS) which is meant to be free to all families. This is already a problem where expert reports (eg psychiatric) are required, but of course that occurs far less frequently – welfare reports are far more commonplace and are notionally at no expense to the parent. If parents can’t pay, or if the LSC starts to refuse to meet the costs of these reports (which frankly is only a matter of time) - families and children in particular will lose out. Its really VERY depressing – what do you tell a client? Forget about complaints about secret justice etc etc – DELAY in obtaining a report that is essential to the determination of the case is the real injustice here.

POSTSCRIPT 22 SEPT: I KNEW this wouldn’t last long. See this post.

Be Sociable, Share!
Category: cases, public funding
Tags: > > >

Comments

Leave a Reply





  • About

    A blog in which I ricochet from too serious to too flippant, and alternate between a bit clever, a bit interesting and a bit ranty: Pink Tape neatly functions as both a blog about family law and a therapeutic escape valve for me. >>more




  • Advertisements

    Family Law Reports


  • Other Ads

    Find solicitors and lawyers at Solicitors.com

    Darbys Medical Negligence Solicitors provide specialist legal advice & support in fatal accident claims.

    Hurt in an accident which wasn't your fault? Injury Claims can help you with no win no fee accident claims today.

    Medical Negligence solicitors in Manchester and London

    Looking for family solicitors? Get in touch with us for the best family law advice.

    Stephens Scown
    Family Solicitors Exeter

  • Latest Family Decisions from BAILII

    High Court and County Court

  • Other bits