Legal News
MoJ to introduce expert witness standards (11 November 2013)
Date: 11/11/2013
The Ministry of Justice is aiming to tackle the biggest factor leading to childcare case delays in the UK by implementing new standards for expert witnesses.
The new measures, which have been developed in conjunction with the Family Justice Council, will place greater restrictions on the witnesses chosen for such cases. Only recognised, experienced and qualified professionals will make the grade.
Family justice minister, Lord McNally explained: “It is important that expert witnesses are used effectively in deciding the future of vulnerable children. These new standards put the welfare of children at the heart of the system, so only the highest calibre evidence is permitted and cases are resolved quickly.”
The Ministry has revealed that the commissioning of additional written clarifications, statements and court appearances by these individuals had also proven to be both costly and unnecessary and that new standards will quicken the whole process while protecting the welfare of children.
The new standards are the latest measures to be implemented in an attempt to speed up the family courts, with the Ministry hopeful that the average time for care cases, which has fallen from 56 weeks to 41 weeks during the last two years, will be reduced even further. However, judges and practitioners have both been critical of the Children and Families Bill, which is set to introduce a 26-week limit for similar proceedings from next year.
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