NCJ Number
54671
Date Published
1978
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THIS PAMPHLET WAS PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ONE PARENT FAMILIES AND RECOMMENDS A UNIFIED FAMILY COURT STRUCTURE TO FURTHER SOCIAL AND LEGAL PROCESS IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF ENGLAND.
Abstract
THE COUNCIL RECOGNIZES THE NEED FOR UNIFIED FAMILY COURTS THAT POSSESS THE RESOURCES TO DEAL REALISTICALLY WITH PRACTICAL PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION. TO SATISFY THE SIX CRITERIA ESTABLISHED, UNIFIED FAMILY COURTS MUST (1) BE IMPARTIAL JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS, REGULATING THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS AND SETTLING DISPUTES ACCORDING TO LAW; (2) BE UNIFIED INSTITUTIONS IN A SYSTEM OF FAMILY LAW WHICH APPLIES A UNIFORM SET OF LEGAL PRINCIPLES DERIVED FROM A SINGLE MORAL STANDARD APPLICABLE TO ALL CITIZENS; (3) MUST ORGANIZE THEIR WORK IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE FACILITIES FOR CONCILIATION; (4) MUST HAVE PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED STAFF TO ASSIST BOTH THE COURTS AND THE PARTIES IN ALL MATTERS REQUIRING SOCIAL WORK SERVICES AND ADVICE; (5) MUST WORK IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH SOCIAL SECURITY AUTHORITIES IN THE ASSESSMENT OF NEED AND LIABILITY IN CASES INVOLVING THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL AID; AND (6) MUST ORGANIZE THEIR PROCEDURES, SITTINGS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND ARRANGEMENTS WITH A VIEW TO GAINING THE CONFIDENCE AND MAXIMIZING THE CONVENIENCE OF CITIZENS. GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO THE CONCEPT OF A UNIFIED FAMILY COURT STRUCTURE, MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS IN MAGISTRATE COURTS, ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND CONCILIATION ARE DETAILED. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)