Andrew McFarlane has been approved by the Queen to take on the role of President of the Family Division. McFarlane will take up the position on 28th July, after the current President steps down on the 27th, July.
The decision was made with the support of a panel, which included Baroness Hale, Professor Lord Kakkar (Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission), Dame Valarie Strachan and Mr Andrew Kennon.
His appointment will come as no surprise to this site – we tipped McFarlane for the Presidency in March of last year. McFarlane replaces Sir James Munby as President of the Family Division.
As a judge, McFarlane looks set to take up Munby’s mantle as a vocal figurehead wading into the politics of the family courts. Unlike Munby though, McFarlane appears reluctant to highlight controversies inside the system.
A member of the Norgrove Review, which was perceived by many to be too narrow in its scope and lacking in innovation, McFarlane is carving out a reputation for himself as a cautious and diplomatic President, trying to please all parties inside the Family Division.
His trademark diplomacy can be seen in some of his judgments. Presiding over the Charlie Gard case in 2017 , McFarlane highlighted grounds which he felt were powerful enough on their own to grant the family permission to appeal, during what were fraught hearings for the parents. In 2012, McFarlane was also one of several judges invited to give evidence at the House of Lords, on the adoption process.
Perhaps the new President feels a collaborative, and non confrontational approach might succeed where Munby’s direct and often powerful calls to action inside the Family Division, have failed. This is unlikely to be the case. Munby began his career as President with the same outlook as McFarlane has now. What Munby discovered, was that the softly softly approach did nothing to address the entrenched and often wilful breaches of policy and law inside the child welfare sector. It’s going to be interesting to see how McFarlane’s approach changes during his term. He may have to pick a side after all.
Welcome, McFarlane.
Researching Reform 
I think he need to pick aside really quickly then imo, we have gone past breaking point and the awareness process also. A need for change is needed and with al the abuse that has happened it cannot be all the parents surely especially when people may have to bring in the criminal side of things that is being over looked or judges falling asleep in hearings but can make such life changing decisions on children’s lives. Yes mumby has been speaking out but so have 1 or 2 others. That is not helping matters when you have a judge 1 day and see another on the second day the incompetence of social workers to politly tell people about hearings rather than wait and a few weeks gone surprising parents they had been to court. ACCOUNTABILITY has to start happening when things go wrong and sharing of information that can’t be obtained…purposely delaying the cases?
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Reblogged this on | truthaholics.
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The family court must have accountability
Please read and sign our petition for recommendations which will drive culture change not just within the judiciary but in all professions going into family court.
https://www.change.org/p/prime-minister-theresa-may-voice-of-the-child-culture-change-within-the-family-court
#openfamilycourt
#serialregisterneeded
#childfirst
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Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
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McFarlane has two paths to choose from.
1. Be a trail Blazer for change and justice.
2. Play it safe as a Yes Man.
We will see.
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