Family Justice Council 5th Annual Debate
December 2011
The Family Justice Council held a debate and panel discussion entitled ‘Experts in the family courts: are they worth it?’
It focused on concerns about quality, cost and other issues raised by the current approach to commissioning expert evidence for use in the family courts. The debate also covered alternative approaches proposed by the Family Justice Review and Sir Liam Donaldson in ‘Bearing Good Witness’.
The event was chaired by the President of the Family Division, Sir Nicholas Wall.
Speakers included:
- District Judge (MC) Nicholas Crichton – Inner London Family Proceedings Court; Lead Judge, Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) and FJC member
- Dr. Heather Payne – Consultant Paediatrician and member of the FJC
- Mr Malek Wan Daud Barrister, Garden Court Chambers and FJC member
- Mr Steve Goodman – Director of Morning Lane Associates