Child Care Solicitors

One of the UK’s most controversial inquiries has stated that there will be no reductions in their broad scope, and they will continue to investigate the past.

It was established after claims of an establishment cover-up of an alleged paedophile ring that operated in Westminster in the 1980s. This investigation into child sexual abuse has been repeatedly criticised since its founding two years ago. Indeed, three of its chairwomen have resigned. In fact Lord Macdonald, former director of public prosecutions, criticised the inquiry for "careering out of control since its inception".

Professor Alexis Jay now leads the inquiry, reassuring all that the investigation was “still very interested in the past” amid calls for the inquest to redraw its approach.

Laila Bhunnoo, a Director of Family of Childcare at Duncan Lewis Solicitors has stated that “there has been set back after set back with an enquiry that will potentially have far reaching consequences for all those involved. Each time a new person is asked to head up the enquiry, new promises are made and it is not clear whether the work carried by the predecessors are disregarded altogether or can be built upon to reduce delay.”

Professor Jay has stated that she regards “calls for us to forget the past with a degree of scepticism… Not least because some institutions may have the most to hide and a vested interest in not turning a spotlight on what happened in the past.” Her predecessors have warned that the inquiry’s “sheer scale and size” cause “an inherent problem” with finding the truth. But Professor Jay seems committed to running the inquiry at its full breadth.

In her first few months on the inquiry, Professor Jay has decided against a “one size fits all” approach to investigation. Instead she plans to focus on four strands that will underpin the inquiry; namely:
1) Cultural – examining the behaviours within institutions
2) Structural – looking at the frameworks between and within institutions
3) Financial – considering the funding and resource arrangements for institutions
4) Professional and Structural – focusing on practice and leadership issues for those working in relevant institutions

Laila Bhunnoo added: “Alexis Jay is now at the helm and it is comforting that she has offered words of reassurance involving getting to the very core of the difficulties which have arisen. By identifying four key areas to work upon (Cultural, Structural, Financial and Professional and Political), Alexis Jay seems focussed and decisive. How this will translate into action remains to be seen. This is going to be a task of some magnitude and is long overdue. Any further delay must be avoided at all costs for the sake of all of those concerned.”

The Duncan Lewis Family & Childcare department are specialists in all aspects of family and private/public children law matters from offices across London and throughout the UK. Recognised by Legal 500 2016 as a leading family and child care practice, the team holds a niche practice in representing victims of domestic abuse and is significantly experienced in complex financial matrimonial matters (ancillary relief) relating to the breakdown of a marriage/relationship. The London Child Care team now has over 50 specialist solicitors / Law Society accredited Children Law Panel Members authorised to act for children in all children public law proceedings. Many of our Children Public Law Solicitors also specialise in Children Cross border disputes. Our specialism is illustrative by the fact that Duncan Lewis is one of only a small number of firms in the UK that are on the Lord Chancellor’s Child Abduction & Contact Panel.

If you, or someone you know, needs help regarding abuse don’t hesitate to call Duncan Lewis Solicitors on 033 3772 0409