Hearing the voice of the child in family actions: Together advises Form F9 review

Date: 2nd February 2016
Category: General measures of implementation

Together has called for the meaningful and ongoing participation of children and young people, the use of child-friendly language and accessible information and training for adults involved in the participatory process, in a response to the Scottish Civil Justice Council Family Law Committee review of the Form F9.

Form F9 is a court form currently used in the sheriff courts to intimate a family action to a child and seek his/her views. Form F9 has been widely regarded as problematic, and the Family Law Committee (FLC) has agreed that it is considered by many to be 'less than optimal.' A step-by-step review is set to take place on how the voice of the child is heard in family actions, and Form F9 is the starting point.

Together was invited by the FLC to offer suggestions on how Form F9 might be improved. The Together response is split into three themes:

• Participation and accountability
• Accessible and child friendly
• Training

Download the full Together response here.