Overview

The Family Justice (Transparency, Accountability and Cost of Living) Bill aims to improve transparency and accountability within the family court system, enhance the rights of those involved in family cases, and address fuel poverty in the UK.

Description

This bill encompasses several key areas:

Family Justice Reform

• Family Group Conferences: Mandates family group conferences for children at risk of entering care, providing families with a chance to create a care plan. Appeals against decisions are included.
• Court Proceedings: Allows for "Friends" and "McKenzie Friends" (supporters) in Family and Court of Protection proceedings, subject to confidentiality rules. It grants greater participation rights to grandparents and siblings in cases involving children. It also clarifies the criteria for dispensing with parental consent in adoption cases, emphasizing the placement of children with relatives when possible.
• Children in Care: Establishes an independent process for investigating complaints of serious harm against authorities regarding children in care. It proposes that being in care become a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
• Transparency & Accountability: Aims to abolish the common law offence of scandalising the court, and mandates publication of information relating to those imprisoned for contempt of court.
• Capacity: Allows individuals deemed to lack capacity to appeal that decision, and clarifies that those with the capacity to make reasonable choices should be deemed capacitated unless it would cause serious harm.

Cost of Living Measures

• Fuel Poverty Strategy: Requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for improving domestic energy efficiency and reducing fuel bills, including targets for 2015, 2020, and 2025.
• Ending Fuel Poverty Roadmap: Requires a costed roadmap to end fuel poverty (with exceptions for those declining improvements or in properties too large to insulate) within 12 months of the bill passing.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't provide specific figures for government spending. However, implementing the proposed strategies for energy efficiency and tackling fuel poverty will likely involve significant expenditure.

Groups Affected

• Families involved in family court cases: The bill aims to enhance their rights and participation in proceedings.
• Children at risk or in care: Increased protection and support mechanisms are proposed.
• Grandparents and other relatives: Granted greater rights to participate in proceedings involving children.
• Legal professionals and court staff: Changes in procedure and transparency requirements will impact their work.
• Energy companies and consumers: The cost of living measures will affect their operations and potentially lead to cost changes for consumers.

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