*/
The Head of the Family Division warned that he and the state would have ‘blood on our hands’ if a hospital bed was not found for a teenager due to be released from youth custody.
In an unprecedented speech, Sir James Munby said he felt ‘powerless’ that he was unable to do more to help the 17-year-old, known as X, who had made several ‘determined’ attempts to commit suicide, after he was told there were not enough beds in the country.
He said: ‘If this is the best we can do for X, and others in similar crisis, what right do we, what right do the system, our society and indeed the state itself, have to call ourselves civilised?
‘The honest answer to this question should make us all feel ashamed. For my own part, acutely conscious of my powerlessness – of my inability to do more for X – I feel shame and embarrassment; shame, as a human being, as a citizen and as an agent of the state, embarrassment as president of the family division, and, as such, head of family justice, that I can do no more for X.’
Days later, Mr Justice Mostyn warned the government to reform child maintenance rules, as he ordered a father with assets of more than £5m, but who said he could only afford to pay £7 a week, to pay £20,000.
The Head of the Family Division warned that he and the state would have ‘blood on our hands’ if a hospital bed was not found for a teenager due to be released from youth custody.
In an unprecedented speech, Sir James Munby said he felt ‘powerless’ that he was unable to do more to help the 17-year-old, known as X, who had made several ‘determined’ attempts to commit suicide, after he was told there were not enough beds in the country.
He said: ‘If this is the best we can do for X, and others in similar crisis, what right do we, what right do the system, our society and indeed the state itself, have to call ourselves civilised?
‘The honest answer to this question should make us all feel ashamed. For my own part, acutely conscious of my powerlessness – of my inability to do more for X – I feel shame and embarrassment; shame, as a human being, as a citizen and as an agent of the state, embarrassment as president of the family division, and, as such, head of family justice, that I can do no more for X.’
Days later, Mr Justice Mostyn warned the government to reform child maintenance rules, as he ordered a father with assets of more than £5m, but who said he could only afford to pay £7 a week, to pay £20,000.
Barbara Mills KC, the new Chair of the Bar, outlines some key themes and priorities
A family lawyer has won a £500 donation for her preferred charity, an education centre for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, thanks to drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back campaign
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Governments who play fast and loose with the law get into real trouble, says the new Attorney General. The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC talks to Anthony Inglese CB about what drew this boy from Cardiff to the Bar, bringing the barrister ethos to the front bench, and how he will be measuring success
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
