Family courts in England and Wales ‘not good enough’ for women and children, minister says

Family courts in England and Wales are set for a significant overhaul following government criticism that the current system has long failed to treat women and children fairly. Alison Levitt, a government minister, described the existing family justice system as “not good enough” and announced plans to replace adversarial hearings with a “problem-solving,” child-focused approach. This new model aims to prioritize child welfare, reduce trauma, and expedite case resolutions, particularly in section 8 cases involving child arrangements such as living and contact arrangements. The Ministry of Justice highlighted that child-focused courts, which emphasize out-of-court resolutions and early intervention, have already demonstrated success in reducing backlogs and waiting times. Levitt, who has extensive legal experience, acknowledged the historical injustices faced by women in the justice system and emphasized the need for reforms to prevent retraumatization of victims, especially those affected by domestic abuse. She stressed that while the system is complex, women have not always received fair treatment, though improvements are underway. The reforms come amid ongoing debates about the role of parental involvement and the controversial concept of parental alienation, which Levitt dismissed as lacking scientific validity. Campaigners have long argued that abusers exploit family courts to control or alienate children from their non-abusive parents. Levitt’s comments reflect a broader effort to ensure the family courts better protect vulnerable parties and focus on the best interests of children. These changes are part of a wider initiative to address court backlogs and improve justice delivery across the system. By shifting towards a less adversarial and more collaborative approach, the government aims to create a fairer, more efficient family justice system that better supports women and children, while reducing the emotional toll of legal proceedings.