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<p>On 21 May 2019 the Ministry of Justice announced a public call for evidence to
develop our understanding of how the family courts protect children and parents in
cases of domestic abuse and other serious offences. Specifically, the call for evidence
will focus on the application of Practice Direction 12J, Practice Direction 3AA, The
Family Procedure Rules Part 3A, and s.91(14) orders, and will build a more detailed
understanding of any harm caused during or following proceedings in the family court
where there are allegations of domestic abuse. The written call for evidence was launched
on 19 July and will run for 6 weeks.</p><p> </p><p>This call for evidence is coordinated
by a panel of experts whose membership includes academics, members of the judiciary,
and representatives from third sector bodies which represent or advocate for victims
of domestic abuse, all of whom are independent of the Government. The panel will gather
and interpret evidence from a full range of interested parties, to enable us to address
appropriately any issues with the application of protections available in the family
courts.</p><p><br> It is important that the Family Justice System strikes an appropriate
balance between rightly protecting the confidentially of the individual children and
family members, but also maintaining as open and transparent approach to court decisions
as possible in these circumstances.</p>
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