Speeches by Dixon.

“Hence, I said basic demographics are a given. Dame Nicole Jacobs?”

“I am the MP for Shipley constituency and a Member of the Public Accounts Committee. Given that the Public Accounts Committee recently considered the family courts, I am guesting on this Committee just for this session. The only possible relevant declaration is that my mum was for many years a magistrate in the family c…”

“Just picking up the point about governance, the Public Accounts Committee concluded that the current arrangements for family justice are complex. Many organisations are involved, but they are non-accountable for overall performance. At national level there is the Family Justice Board, which does not seem to have met ve…”

“Okay, I will take that.”

“We may have already touched on the long waits: these cases that are delayed over 100 weeks. Obviously, the Family Justice Board set some ambitious priorities for 2024-25, including reducing the number of cases open for over 100 weeks to zero, both private and public. You mentioned the 4,000 children who are waiting in …”

“We will probably come back to that.”

“May I come in with just a very small follow-up on this? I was talking to the grandfather of Star Hobson; people will know the tragic case in Bradford, where a child was murdered by a cohabiting partner of the mother. Obviously he was not involved in the discussions about child protection. I just wanted to ensure that t…”

“In response to the Public Accounts Committee, there is a suggestion that we come forward with a plan. What should be in that plan? Dame Nicole, do you have any thoughts on this?”

“I am conscious that we are keeping the president waiting, so I am going to make sure it is punchy. You will be pleased to know that the Public Accounts Committee has asked specifically that we get a joined-up data and evidence strategy within six months, with all the various parties working together on that. Given ever…”

“Sir Andrew, you mentioned the designated family judge approach. I understood it to be a pilot, or were you suggesting that it is now usual business?”

“As I understand it, there has been a pilot where these designated family judges are operating with delivery partners to do a deep dive analysis.”

“For the other witnesses, what are your thoughts about what needs to be done to address this fragmentation in governance? Are there other solutions that you would be proposing? Jacky, do you want to go first?”

“Hence, I said basic demographics are a given. Dame Nicole Jacobs?”

“It sounds to me that, given the geographical variation, the reasons for delay differ so you would also be advocating strengthening the local Family Justice Boards.”

“Is that what you would be recommending?”

“Just picking up the point about governance, the Public Accounts Committee concluded that the current arrangements for family justice are complex. Many organisations are involved, but they are non-accountable for overall performance. At national level there is the Family Justice Board, which does not seem to have met ve…”

“Yes, that is the one. There is also Pathfinder, but I am speaking about Trailblazer. You will have heard from our previous witnesses that there are many different reasons for delay; you have touched on some yourself. Could you just reflect on what has been successful about that pilot, both in terms of identifying delay…”

“We heard from our witnesses about problems such as needing to get repeat expert input. You mentioned that some of the delay is due to legal aid cuts, and more people effectively representing themselves. I am guessing that not all of those issues are within the control of a designated family judge. What are the other st…”

“Does continuity of the judge play any role in this?”

“Do we have data on how many cases actually do get continuity?”