I note that the newly published guidance on the giving of reasons by justices in the family proceedings court (by the Magistrates Association and the Justices’ Clerks’ Society) is silent as regards the (in my view*) inappropriate practice of counsel for the local authority drafting facts and reasons for the justices. By implication however that practice is not endorsed since the guidance does specify the documents that the various representatives may helpfully prepare on behalf of the court and the closest to the dreaded facts and reasons draft to be included on that list is a list of agreed facts.

*I think it gives a very poor impression and encourages laziness.