Annex G - Particular Difficulties in Children Cases

We consider it important that the Legal Services Commission should work together with the courts “to find a way forward” in relation to the appointment and funding of experts in public law proceedings.

We would like to make comments about two observations in Annex G:

(a) it is said that “there is perceived to be a shortage of some types of expert”.   There is undoubtedly a shortage of many types of expert prepared to be engaged in family law cases; there is compelling confirmation of this issue from the many disciplines assembled in the Family Justice Council;

(b) it is said that there can be a difficulty in apportioning experts’ fees; we consider that this may be less problematic since the judgment of Bodey J. in the Calderdale case (above)