New data show family courts crippled by delays
Backlogs and delays continue to hamper the family law courts, causing uncertainty for those involved, the Law Society of England and Wales said today responding to new statistics published by HM Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS). “We are extremely concerned about the effect delays and backlogs in the family courts are having on people seeking justice,” said Law Society President Lubna Shuja. “Today’s data shows there is a backlog of more than 110,000 cases for the family courts, and cases are taking, on average, almost a year to complete. “The ones who are impacted by this delay the most are families up and down the country. Some are dealing with deeply distressing issues - securing a child arrangement order, seeking protection from domestic abuse and controlling behaviour, or finalising a divorce. “The UK government must ensure, so far as possible, that there are sufficient fee-paid and full-time judges to deal with existing and new caseloads. “There also continues to be a h
