Child's Voice in Court
DCA Press Release
30 October 2006
Children should be able to have a greater say in family court
decisions made about them, DCA Minister Harriet Harman said
today. Speaking to child and health care professionals at a
conference about opening up family courts she outlined the
importance of children being able to speak to the judge or
magistrates if they want to.
"In family court cases, the welfare of the child is paramount.
Decisions are made which will affect them for the rest of their
life. But too often the courts do not ask what they want or what
they think."