Resolution Podcast S2 Episode #9 | Public Law | w/ Natasha Watson, Caroline Lynch & Hannah Markham KC

In this episode we chat to Natasha Watson (Acting Head of Law at Brighton & Hove City Council),  Caroline Lynch (Principal Legal Advisor at Family Rights Group) and Hannah Markham KC (36 Family) who were all members of the Public Law Working Group which reported in March 2021:

https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/March-2021-report-final_clickable.pdf

This is a wide-ranging discussion about the issues facing the family justice system.  Natasha and Caroline discuss the importance of Courts and social workers drawing a distinction between parenting in poverty, and poverty.  Natasha draws our attention  Anti-Poverty Practice Statement developed by the Sussex Quality Circle

https://www.sussexfamilyjusticeboard.org.uk/sussex-fjb-bulletin/

They discuss whether 26 weeks is achievable, and whether it is even the right KPI in respect of case, the importance of Family Group Conferences and pre-proceedings work, and experts.  This includes reference to Re C (Parental Alienation: Instruction of Expert) [2023] EWHC 345 (Fam)

https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Re-C-Parental-Alienation-judgment-220323.pdf

Finally they discuss the importance of the right support package for special guardians and the need for us all to be more familiar with the special guardianship guidance.  The Public Law Working Group Best practice Guidance in relation to Special Guardianship can be found here:

https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Special-guardianship-BPG-report_Clickable.pdf

This document produced by Family Rights Group sets out in detail the legal and practice framework relevant for financial support for special guardians:

https://frg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SG-allowance-briefing.pdf