The use of experts, including forensic accountants, is to be cut back in Family Court

The use of experts in Family Court, to include forensic accountants, is to be curbed under new UK Justice Ministry proposals.

As a report by Mr Justice Ryder on the operation of child proceedings is published, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, warns that too many experts are being wastefully used, particularly in child proceedings. He says he wants to see hearings speeded up and a cutback on excessive delays.

Lord Judge goes on to say that expert testimony is often ‘misused and overused’ and suggests that a single expert per case is often enough.

The proposals, aimed at streamlining the Family Court, come in response to Government reforms contained in the Crime and Courts Bill.

ENDS

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