The president of the Family Division has published a 'toolkit' for judges on how best to write to children. The 20-page document was developed with input from children and young people, judges, researchers, academics, social workers, clinical psychologists, communication experts and others who work with children and the courts.
It includes examples of letters judges have previously written to children: one opening with the words 'My name is Amos and I am a judge'.
In his foreword, Sir Andrew McFarlane said the publication of the toolkit is a ‘most welcome event’. He added: ‘The benefit of judges communicating with the child at the centre of proceedings has long been recognised, yet few of us have ever written to a child to explain our decision in their case. There is an understandable judicial reluctance in this regard, partly because of the realisation that the letter will be important and there is a fear of saying the "wrong thing".
‘A child is entitled to be given an accurate and informative account of what was decided, and why, from the judge who made the decision. This will be important for the young person in understanding that their wishes and feelings have been taken into account by the court, and in supporting them to accept or make sense of the decision as they move forward with their life thereafter.’
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Urging judges to read and use the guide, he said he hoped that writing to children will ‘rapidly become the norm and no longer a task to be avoided’.
Tips for judges include tailoring the letter to the child and their needs and circumstances, explaining how the judge came to the decision, keeping the letter short, and not to over-promise.
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