ABSTRACT
The family courts deals with marriage, divorce decrees, cohabitation, some types of domestic violence, disputes between parents over the upbringing of their children, and financial support for children upon divorce or separation. Public family law cases were less affected, as they are driven by Local Authority applications to issue proceedings and are non-means and merits tested. The latest series of recommendations for reform stem from the Family Justice Review, a report which focused on examining possible areas for reform with the family justice system, and which was published on 3 November 2011. Section 12 of the Administration of Justice Act 1960 currently makes it a contempt of court to publish a judgment in a family court case involving children, unless the judgment has been delivered in public, or the judge has authorised publication. The latest series of recommendations for reform stem from the Family Justice Review.
