Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Green Excerpts
Tuesday 28th March 2023

(1 year, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mike Freer Portrait Mike Freer
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My hon. Friend raises a very important and sensitive issue. The Government are reviewing all aspects of family law, particularly in terms of how to ensure that families stay out of court. The extra £15 million for mediation vouchers will help to keep people out of that adversarial situation. It is also about the use of language, to ensure that children are not scarred by the adversarial process. A wraparound process that is family-friendly, with mediation, should address the concerns she has raised.

Sarah Green Portrait Sarah Green (Chesham and Amersham) (LD)
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Over three years, one of my constituents was dragged back to the family court by their ex-partner 25 times. Despite having the bravery to leave an abusive relationship, they faced further trauma as a result of an ex-partner who was able to use the family court system to further control and manipulate them and their child. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the family courts cannot be abused in this way?

Mike Freer Portrait Mike Freer
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The hon. Lady raises a point that has been raised before. The Department is reviewing how we can ensure that people caught up in the family court system are protected from such abuse.