Children asked for views on review

Children and young people are being asked their views as part of a review of family law.

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on proposals aimed at improving how family cases are dealt with by the courts.

Legal affairs minister Annabelle Ewing said that a childfriendly questionnaire had been produced to encourage young people to give their views on the issue.

The review is looking at how courts deal with cases involving children when their parents have separated, as well as the law around parental responsibilities and rights.

Among the issues under consideration are how the opinions of children are obtained in family cases, and how victims of domestic abuse and their children are protected during court proceedings.

A ban on the cross-examination of domestic abuse victims by their abusers in contact and residence cases in the civil courts is one of the options under consideration.

Ministers are also examining whether there should be more regulation of child contact centres and of the child welfare reporters who advise sheriffs and judges in family court cases.

And the review will consider whether the Scottish Government should do more to encourage alternatives to court, such as family mediation, and will look at improvements to the children’s hearing’s system.