News Essentials: 19th June 2021

A brief summary of the essential family law news and cases from the last week: 

NEWS

Child Maintenance: modernising and improving our service
This consultation seeks views on a number of proposed legislative changes aimed at modernising and improving the Child Maintenance Service. Full story: Department for Work and Pensions.

Cafcass publishes new Domestic Abuse Learning and Improvement Plan
Cafcass’ Domestic Abuse Learning and Improvement Plan has been developed in response to the serious findings of the Ministry of Justice’s Expert Panel on Harm in the Family Courts. Full story: Cafcass.

Domestic abuse support within safe accommodation: statutory guidance and regulations consultation
MHCLG is launching a consultation on the draft statutory guidance and two sets of regulations that accompany Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act. Full story: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

Care services too focused on investigating families in crisis, says review
Child protection services in England are too focused on investigating families in crisis and do not provide enough early support, a report says. Full story: BBC News.

Police probe suspect drugs tests used in criminal and family cases
Police are investigating thousands of suspect drug testing reports from one laboratory that may have been used in criminal, coronial, family and employment cases, it has emerged. Full story: Law Society Gazette.

Minimum legal age to get married set to rise to 18
The minimum legal age to get married is set to be raised to 18 in an attempt to combat forced unions. Full story: The Times.

CASES

Nottinghamshire County Council v J (The Mother) [2021] EWHC 1651 (Fam) (08 June 2021)
Application by LA for a declaration that it is in child's best interests for him to have spinal surgery. Declaration made. Full report: Bailii.

Y (disclosure to MPS) [2021] EWFC B33 (11 February 2021)
Care proceedings in relation to child and her parents, who are brother and sister. Application by police for disclosure of LA records. Full report: Bailii.

R (Care Proceedings Joinder of Foster Carers) [2021] EWCA Civ 875 (15 June 2021)
Care proceedings. Appeal by LA against order joining foster carers as parties to the proceedings. Appeal allowed. Full report: Bailii.

P (Circumcision: Child in Care) [2021] EWHC 1616 (Fam) (14 June 2021)
Application by mother of child subject to interim care order for court's authorisation for him to be circumcised. No order made, so that matter left until child can make his own choice. Full report: Bailii.