SLOVAK REPUBLIC AND THE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM IN ENGLAND

Early day motion 940, tabled 17 January 2013 by John Hemming (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 5 members.

That this House notes that in early January 2013 two Slovak boys went to live with their grandmother in the Slovak Republic, the Court of Appeal having reversed the decision to put the boys up for adoption in England; looks forward to the publication of the judgment of the Court of Appeal explaining what has happened; further notes that the journey of the boys to the Slovak Republic was covered in detail without anonymity by the Slovak media and recognises that the secrecy in respect of this case has acted more to protect the practitioners operating the system than the children involved; further notes that the Slovak Republic has identified at least 40 cases involving 89 children where they believe that errors have been made in the courts in England and Wales; further notes that other countries have similar concerns about the Family Courts in England and Wales; welcomes the appointment of Sir James Munby as President of the Family Division; and recognises the challenges that he faces.

Signatures by party: Labour 3, Liberal Democrat 2.