Immediately pause Pathfinder Courts roll-out to hold independent public inquiry

Background

Pause the national rollout of Pathfinder/Child Focused Courts and launch an independent public inquiry into the family justice system, including CAFCASS, social services, judges, legal professionals, safeguarding failures, human rights breaches, and compliance with UK law.

Additional details

The 2020 Report on Harm in Family Courts identified serious failings {in family courts}, including minimisation of domestic abuse, safeguarding failures, and children’s voices not being properly heard. Many families continue reporting mirroring concerns 6 years later. We believe expanding Pathfinder before these issues are investigated and addressed risks fast-tracking trauma for children and protective parents, increasing reliance on untested professional opinion, and undermining public confidence in the family justice system.

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