Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System

The Family Justice Council (FJC) has published Guidance on Neurodiversity in the Family Justice System for practitioners (PDF). The guidance is aimed at legal practitioners working with neurodivergent users of the Family Justice System.

The guidance follows almost two years of work drawing together the existing regulatory framework and setting out best practice, with contributions from across family justice. The FJC particularly thanks the members of the working group.

In the foreword to the guidance, the President of the Family Division Sir Andrew McFarlane, said: “It is clear that the failure to recognise and accommodate neurodivergence within the Family Justice System leads to parties, witnesses and children not being able to participate fully. Equal access to justice is fundamental to a functioning and fair system.

“The universally applicable principle upon which the guidance sits, is that understanding an individual’s needs leads to better participation, and more effective justice. This principle encourages a system that, with relatively light adjustments, can improve participation and outcomes for children and families.  I encourage practitioners working within the Family Justice system to read the guidance carefully and to consider how they can adopt best practice.”

Guidance for the judiciary is expected to follow later this year.