To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Family Courts: Domestic Abuse
Tuesday 23rd July 2019

Asked by: Suella Braverman (Conservative - Fareham)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will launch an independent inquiry into family courts in England and Wales to establish (a) how victims of domestic violence are treated, (b) whether the process under which parents convicted of domestic violence are given access to children is adequate and (c) whether the courts should be more transparent in their handling of domestic violence cases and the protection of children involved in such cases.

Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

On 21 May 2019 the Ministry of Justice announced a public call for evidence to develop our understanding of how the family courts protect children and parents in cases of domestic abuse and other serious offences. Specifically, the call for evidence will focus on the application of Practice Direction 12J, Practice Direction 3AA, The Family Procedure Rules Part 3A, and s.91(14) orders, and will build a more detailed understanding of any harm caused during or following proceedings in the family court where there are allegations of domestic abuse. The written call for evidence was launched on 19 July and will run for 6 weeks.

This call for evidence is coordinated by a panel of experts whose membership includes academics, members of the judiciary, and representatives from third sector bodies which represent or advocate for victims of domestic abuse, all of whom are independent of the Government. The panel will gather and interpret evidence from a full range of interested parties, to enable us to address appropriately any issues with the application of protections available in the family courts.


It is important that the Family Justice System strikes an appropriate balance between rightly protecting the confidentially of the individual children and family members, but also maintaining as open and transparent approach to court decisions as possible in these circumstances.


Written Question
Secure Colleges
Thursday 9th July 2015

Asked by: Suella Braverman (Conservative - Fareham)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress his Department has made on the plans for a Secure College.

Answered by Andrew Selous - Second Church Estates Commissioner

The Coalition Government originally legislated for Secure Colleges as a way to deliver better education in the youth justice system. This Government is also completely committed to improving the quality of education enjoyed by young offenders. This is one of the Government's top priorities. But the nature of the challenge has changed. The youth custody population has fallen from 1,349 in January 2013 to 999 in April 2015, a fall of 26%. A Secure College could have been desirable with a larger population, but it would not be right to house one third of the entire youth offender population in one setting. It would also be a mistake to press ahead with such a development when resources are so tight.

We are therefore not going ahead with the creation of a secure college pathfinder. All work on the proposed secure college pathfinder at Glen Parva has now ceased.