Experts in the Family Justice System

Objective: 

To oversee the national implementation of recommendations emerging from the President’s Experts Working Group.

Members:

Mr Justice Williams (Chair)
Dr Nicola Cosgrave – Clinical Psychologist
Prof. Cecilia Essau, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology
Dr Duncan Harding – Expert Lead appointed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Sharon Segal KC – Silk
HHJ Malcolm Sharpe – Circuit Judge
Dr Neil Stoodley – Consultant Neuroradiologist
Dr Fiona Straw – Paediatrician
Dr Sheena Webb – Child Mental Health Specialist

Outcome:

To promote the work of medical and health experts in the family justice system.

Please visit the Experts in the Family Justice System (EFJS) page for more information about the work of the group.

Terms of Reference:

The Experts in the Family Justice System (EFJS) Committee is a sub-group of the Family Justice Council.

The role of the committee will be to take forward the 22 recommendations of the President’s Working Group, as detailed in its report (PDF) .

In particular, the committee will:

  • Be responsible for the delivery of training and mentoring of experts at a regional level.
  • Report to the Family Justice Council at its quarterly meetings and subsequently to the national Family Justice Board (FJB) by way of an annual report.
  • Set up and supervise eight regional sub-committees across England and Wales. These will be based on the circuits of the Family Presiding Judges.
  • Enable two-way channels of communication, information and support for experts.
  • Develop a strong interface with the national FJB, Local Family Justice Boards and the Family Justice Network Wales.
  • Be responsible for liaising with other professional bodies on issues connected with experts in family justice system.
  • The committee will comprise relevant FJC members – Judiciary, Junior Barrister, Child Mental Health Specialist, Director of Childrens Services, Paediatrician and Solicitor.
  • The committee will co-opt external members from relevant professional bodies as required, including particularly Royal College of Radiologists and British Psychologist Society. These will not be nominated members and there will not be a formal structure as to their role. However, there will be an expectation that they will act as a conduit between the Council and their organisation.