Asked by: Edward Timpson (Conservative - Eddisbury)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
What steps his Department is taking to introduce problem-solving courts.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
Problem-solving courts, which strengthen the judicial involvement in the oversight of sentences being served in the community, will provide a way to closely manage and rehabilitate those offenders who are frequently both prolific and vulnerable. The MoJ are committed to piloting Problem Solving Courts in up to five locations in the Sentencing White Paper, published 16 September. We will be taking forward the necessary legislative provisions to enable these pilots when Parliamentary time allows.
Pilots, based on international best-practice, will focus on offenders with substance misuse issues, domestic violence offences and female offenders.
The Court Service and Probation Service are closely involved in the design of the pilots, taking into consideration operational resources and the location of the necessary treatment services.
Asked by: Edward Timpson (Conservative - Eddisbury)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to reduce the demand on the family courts by diverting private law cases from court where it is safe to do so.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It can be a difficult time when parents decide to separate but it is important that they are supported to make child-focused decisions in a way that minimise conflict and, importantly, are in the best interest of the child.
The Government believes that, in cases where is it safe and appropriate, there are a range of services, such as mediation or other forms of non-court dispute resolution, that can provide parents with a constructive and less adversarial alternative to court proceedings.
We will continue to consider options to enable parents to receive the services that are right for them and raise awareness of alternatives to court.