Family Justice Review to examine role of Cafcass

The Family Justice Review will examine the effectiveness of Cafcass and where efficiency savings can be made in family courts the government today confirmed.

In a written statement to parliament and the Welsh Assembly, ministers confirmed the Family Justice Review, chaired by David Norgrove, would also examine the options for introducing more “inquisitorial” elements into the family justice system for public and private law cases.

Norgrove has asked for views on the effectiveness of Cafcass, in England and Wales, and what its role should be. He has also asked for solutions to increase capacity in the system and who should take ownership of cases when they are in the family justice system.

Norgrove, the former chair of the pensions regulator, added that the family justice system would not be exempt from the “need to examine carefully the amount of funding supplied to the system and how it is applied”.

Ministers said recommendations from the review would need to be costed “and have regard to affordability”.

The announcement follows the closing of more than 100 magistrates’ courts in England and massive rises in care applications to Cafcass in the past year.

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