Children need representation, lawyer warns

Children must be separately represented in private law cases if
their rights are to be effectively upheld, a leading family lawyer
has said, writes Mithran Samuel from Nagalro’s annual
conference.

Chris Blackburn told the conference that representation was
being restricted on economic grounds.

Blackburn, head of family law at John Whittle Robinson
solicitors, said: “Children have one massive right missing
and that’s the right to representation.”

Currently children can only be represented in private law cases
if a judge rules that they have significant needs, in which case a
guardian is appointed.

Blackburn said there should be a presumption that children would
be represented, adding: “We should find the money. If we
believe in children’s rights, let’s empower
them.”

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