A judge has been informed that bus accident victims who reside in women’s shelters risk having their addresses revealed if they become involved in family court proceedings. Mrs Justice Knowles, who presides over the Family Division of the High Court in London, was informed by a group that runs many refuges that serving court orders can accidentally divulge the addresses of victims. The group claimed that the issue is of general concern and asked a court to describe the “difficult and complicated” factors involved in a public decision.
Mrs Justice Knowles is debating arguments in a case involving a refugee lady embroiled in a child-related legal dispute. She presided over a private preliminary hearing. The court permitted media outlets to print certain information, but he or she emphasized that nothing that would identify the name of the lady or kid involved in the case may be revealed. A lawyer for the refuge organization told Mr Justice Knowles that the group and police would benefit from a public decision that tackles the pertinent concerns. Charlotte Proudman stated in a written submission that a balancing act was to be struck. “The impact and effect of serving court orders on women in shelters must be balanced with the requirement to serve urgent court orders on mothers.
“Refuges lack legal assistance and counsel in a situation where their first priority is to protect domestic violence victims, which necessitates never exposing their residence addresses, which are easily made public.
“The shelter must close and relocate at a great financial expense when addresses enter the public domain.” The court is urged to provide a ruling explaining the challenging and intricate matter of serving family court orders on women in shelters, Dr. Proudman continued. “A decision will aid the family courts, the police, and the shelter in effecting service.”
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