Domestic abuse is appalling and tackling such abuse is a priority for the Government. As a member on the Women and Equalities Committee it is an issue that is important to me. The Women's Aid report makes for harrowing reading. No child should ever die or live in such dreadful circumstances, and it is incumbent on all of us to consider whether more can be done to prevent such tragedies. The report underlines the need to prioritise the child's best interest in child contact cases involving domestic abuse, and to make sure that known risks are properly considered. The law is clear on that: the family courts' overriding duty is the welfare of the child.
A review of the family justice system, in 2011, found children were having their futures undermined by excessive delays. This was unacceptable. Every child deserves a safe and stable home. That is why I am encouraged the Government introduced a new Family Court in England and Wales and a 26 week time limit on cases to reduce unnecessary delays and give greater certainty to the children involved. The reforms mean a more efficient system, where children's best interests are placed at the heart of decision making. The simpler, single system reduces unnecessary delays for families and putting a 26 week time limit on care proceedings ensures the children involved have more certainty about their future.
Some progress has been made in opening up the family courts, but there is, of course, a balance to be struck between protecting the rights and privacy of the families involved, particularly children, and opening them up fully.
Judicial guidance makes it clear that the court should only make an order for contact if it is satisfied as to the safety of the child and the parent with whom the child is living. Compliance with judicial guidance is the responsibility of the independent judiciary. The most senior family judge, the president of the family division, has asked a High Court judge to review the practice direction in the light of recommendations made by Women's Aid and the all-party parliamentary group on domestic violence.
The Ministry of Justice is acutely aware of the particular responsibilities of supporting victims of domestic abuse going through the family justice system. Ministers have taken a number of steps to ensure that victims of domestic abuse in the family justice system are supported and protected: protecting legal aid for individuals seeking protection from abusers; investing in the court estate to improve the security and support available; and improving training for those who work in the family justice system.
The Government is determined that victims of domestic abuse should be able to access legal aid when they need it, and wants to understand better the experience of victims in these situations to ensure that we have workable arrangements for the longer term. Over the summer, Ministers have been working collaboratively with domestic abuse support groups, legal representative bodies and colleagues across Government to gather information on the legal aid evidence requirements. I for one welcome the collaborative approach to this work, and would like to see it adopted on other issues.
Ministers are working closely with the judiciary in particular to consider what additional protections may be necessary for vulnerable victims and witnesses in the family justice system.