Urgent court cases – COVID-19

ACCORDING to Unicef and other sources, children are at heightened risk of abuse and neglect during the lockdown and this is having a knock-on effect on the Court system.
Some Courts are reporting a five-fold increase in care proceeding cases in recent weeks. These are cases involving Social Services.
Ruth Hetherington, Family Law Partner and Department Head at FDR Law with offices at Stockton Heath, Warrington and Frodsham says: “The Court is obviously prioritising cases involving vulnerable children. At FDR we have an extremely strong Family Law Team with four of our lawyers dedicated to this area of law. We also have embraced the use of technology so we can ensure that we can access justice for our clients.”
“We are able to take appointments and offer advice by telephone or videoconference. Simply call our usual office number 01925 230000 or e-mail ruth.hetherington@fdrlaw.co.uk to discuss any of the issues raised in this article on a confidential basis.
NSPCC helpline number 0808 800 5000.