GM LFJB Conference HHJ Lesley Newton Designated Family

GM LFJB Conference HHJ Lesley Newton Designated Family Judge for Greater Manchester February 2018

Introduction n Discussion/Questions Suggestions as to how we can do things better The judicial speakers are all here to listen as well as talk

The pressures of work n n Increase in public law applications 23% Increase in private law applications 6% Increases in just about everything else! Manchester still the busiest DFJ area in England Wales.

Performance – public law n 2016/17 average care case duration 25. 6% weeks !!!! n FTYD – 26. 4 weeks

Performance private law n n n “continuous improvement” 2016/17 – 21. 9 weeks – really good FYTD 24. 9 weeks

What else we have achieved together in the last 12 months n n n Consolidation of E-filing and E-bundling Wi-Fi What Manchester does today….

And…. n n n Successful closure of Bury/Bolton and Oldham S 7/s 37 protocol Implementation of the pre-proceedings protocol in all Local Authorities Children at Home on Care orders work Urgent applications protocol

And…. n n n Agreement as to advocates who lack a right of audience Extra sitting days Mediation pilot Court Utilisation pilot Support for Li. Ps

And…Voice of the Child n n n Children’s Access Tours - 13 th March 2018 Virtual Reality Launch on 28 th February 2018 Rogues Gallery

And…successful training events n Has included Lunchtime seminars n Court skills training for social workers n n Coming up…

gmfcf. org

Work in progress n n n Trying to get more judges Compliance Direct recruitment of family panel magistrates pilot Photographs of child to accompany applications The Cafcass pilot A Financial Remedies Court pilot?

My Christmas present n “The Subtle Art. . ”

Over to you…. n n n What are the pressing issues which need attention? Going wrong? Going right? Thank you!