Children, families, and victims of domestic abuse are facing unacceptable delays in the family court system, according to a concerning report by Members of Parliament (MPs). The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) highlighted that the Government lacks an understanding of the urgent need for reform in the family courts.
MPs revealed that over 4,000 children were involved in court cases lasting up to two years by the end of 2024, despite the requirement for most public law cases to be completed within 26 weeks. The PAC attributed these delays to a shortage of district judges and social workers.
The inquiry also raised issues with domestic abuse cases, citing a lack of expert support. The PAC emphasized that delays in cases impact children significantly, especially victims of domestic abuse, and criticized the government for its poor grasp of the diverse effects on different service user groups post-court proceedings.
The family courts were described as complex, inefficient, and challenging to navigate for families lacking legal assistance. Concerns were voiced about the inadequacy of resources and training for court staff, legal advisors, and Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) personnel to support domestic abuse victims adequately within the family justice process.
In a positive development, the Spending Review in June 2025 allocated £2 billion for new investments in children’s social care. However, the inquiry stressed the need for clarity on how this funding will be utilized, particularly in enhancing family support to prevent families from entering the court system.
Clive Betts, deputy chair of the PAC, expressed alarm at the government’s reluctance to acknowledge the urgent need for reform in response to prolonged waiting times in the system. He highlighted the failure of the current system to meet the needs of domestic abuse victims as a critical concern.