CAFCASS has published its strategy for 2026 – 2029. It is not a new Act of Parliament and it does not rewrite the Family Procedure Rules. But its commitment to hearing children earlier, strengthening safeguarding, reducing delay and improving consistency could mark an important change in private children proceedings. It is a welcome move forward, but only if one principle runs through every case: Evidence must come before presumption. The Family Court cannot safely operate on

I fully support Claire Waxman OBE’s call for victims’ voices to remain central when decisions are made about the justice system. The pressures facing the prison system are real, but so are the rights, safety, and confidence of victims and survivors. Promises made to victims must be delivered. A justice system cannot maintain public trust if those who have experienced harm do not feel heard, protected, or recognised. The same principle must apply within the family justice syst