Newcastle’s Top Children’s Specialist, Lucinda Connell comments the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) has published its figures highlighting the changing trends in the number of applications dealt with in relation to children.
Interestingly, CAFCASS reported a 17% decrease in the number of applications received in August 2013 in relation to care proceedings, compared with the number of applications received in August 2012. This reportedly marks a year-on-year decrease of care applications dealt with by CAFCASS.
By contrast, the number of private law cases (i.e. contact and residence applications) received in August 2013 had reportedly increased by 2% compared with August 2012. This continues the upward trend. Notably, CAFCASS received 5,011 applications in May 2013, representing the highest ever for an individual month on record.