Chambers Blog

John Snell would like to congratulate Andrew Willetts on behalf of Chambers for his tremendous achievement in being appointed a Recorder. Andrew was sworn in at Nottingham Crown Court on 10^th February 2010 by Mr. Justice Flaux along with several other newly appointed Recorders.

Ian Jones is preparing to launch a new online guide to the most common administrative appeals. The Appeals Guide series will give an overview of the processes for the appeals panels and tribunals and give expert tips to help those who wish to present their own appeals.

Government figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 show a significant increase in the number of child abductions compared with 2005. The figures for 2008 show a 20% increase on the number of abductions from 2005 with almost 500 children taken abroad illegally. This represents a 93% increase compared to figures for 1995. Of the 336 cases reported to the authorities in the UK, most children were taken to Pakistan (30 cases), followed by the USA (23), Ireland (22) and Spain (21). Other destinations that featured highly were Egypt, France and Australia. 134 of the cases involved children being taken to non-Hague Convention countries.

The Family Proceeding Rules have been amended to allow access to family proceedings by the media and any other person allowed by the court. So you may now find journalists attending your care or residence or ancillary relief case! It is not clear what other persons may be allowed. There is an exception for "judicially assisted conciliation." Restrictions on publication continue to apply.

 Written by Rebecca Fitton-Brown, barrister at New Walk Chambers, specialising in family law.

Ian Jones is quoted extensively in the newspapers this week as figures are released showing that 1 in 10 primary school children were denied a place at the school preferred by their parents. Through his website www.school-appeal.org.uk, Ian Jones provides advice and support to hundreds of parents who want help with the appeal process. Ian also highlights a rise in demand from parents who have failed in their appeal but feel that the process was unfair, and from parents who want to challenge the admissions policy for their preferred school.

For those who want to follow the media discussion, the story is taken up by the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Independent and the Guardian newspapers.

School appeals are likely to feature further in the news over the next few weeks, with more school appeal statistics due out on Thursday and with a forthcoming High Court ruling on the powers of appeal panels.

 Ian Jones is a barrister specialising in school appeals and education law at New Walk Chambers, Leicester.