Children's voice important but balance has to be found - new judge

Although it was important that the children’s voice was heard in family cases, a balance had to be found between the court’s need to listen to them and the risk of damage they could suffer from their direct involvement in procedures, Madame Justice Lorraine Schembri Orland said today. She was making her address during her first inaugural sitting this morning. Madame Justice Schembri Orland said that a balance had to be found between the need for truth and the necessity to protect minors. She said that in spite of all the efforts made by all involved, she felt that the court was weakest in cases of parental alienation which created an irreparable distance between children and one of the parents. Professionals, she said, should work hand in hand for all parties to understand that a child’s healthy development relied on the creation of good relations with both parents. “This is a fundamental right not just for the parents but also for the children.” Madame Justice Schembri Orland also promised to ensure some form of control on the process of cases, postponements and the length of time for the presentation of evidence. She said that during the first hearing appointments should be made...