The Gazette 1995

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995

GAZETTE

j to people involved in family law breakdown about counselling and mediation services, social welfare ; entitlement and legal services and legal aid advice, as well as basic information about how family law ; operates and what powers the family law courts have." Ms. Rosemary Horgan, a solicitor working in a legal aid centre in cork • then addressed the Seminar. Ms. Horgan recognised that the traditional í definition of "the family" has been extended considerably over the last 20 ! years to include single parents families, co-habiting couples with children, married families with foster j j j marriage and Ms. Horgan pointed out that what this means for the client is ; ! that the remedies available to the married client differ from those | available to the client who is not married. Ms. Horgan pointed out the | very real difficulties which can arise i for clients who do not form a | children etc. The Constitution, however, limits its definition of family to the family based on

traditional "family" where, for instance, a barring order or a maintenance order is required.

continue. Ms. Horgan pointed out that "not every litigant can afford, either emotionally or financial, to wait for a postponed Court resolution." Ms. Horgan concluded by quoting from the Law Reform Commission consultation paper on Family Courts as follows:- "We must begin this chapter by expressing concern about a range of serious problems and defects in the manner in which family cases are handled within our existing court system. This concern is shared by many professional working within the system. Many of the problems derive from under-resourcing, both physical and human. The picture which emerges is one of a system struggling and barely managing to cope with the very great increase in family litigation in recent years. The result is a sad parody of that which might be expected in a State whose

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The rights of children to a family

dispute were highlighted by Ms. Horgan who argued that from time to time their case deserves to be i "articulated independently. Although there is provision for independent representation in the Child Care Act, 1991, Ms. Horgan confirmed that these provisions are not yet in force, notwithstanding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child ( proceedings which effect them where it is appropriate that their rights be articulated separately from that of their parents. j that delays in obtaining a hearing date can have on the parties concerned and ! the fact that delay can be used as a weapon by one participant against the other insofar as the stronger party is usually content for the status quo to j which provides for the separate representation of children in any Ms. Horgan commented on the effect

Constitution rightly places such emphasis on the protection of family life."

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TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND THE ISLE OF MAN Samuel McCleery

The Irish Kidney Assoc i a t ion is the only national organisation working solely in the interest of patients with chronic kidney disease. More and more Irish families are relying on the financial and psychological support they receive from the Irish Kidney Association. Since 60% of the patients are unemployed the IKA is called on to help with the basic family requirements - rent, electricity, school books and uniforms, drugs and sadly of all burial expenses. Research, purchases of life saving equipment and printing of the donor cards help improve the quality of life of the patients. This voluntary organisation is a registered charity and we badly need your

Attorney - at - Law and Solicitor of PO Box 127 in Grand Turk,Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies and at P. O. Box 7, Castletown, Isle of Man will be pleased to accept instructions generally ! from Irish Solicitors in the formation and admi n i s t r a t i on of Exempt Tu r ks and | C a i c os Is land Comp a n i es and Non - ' Resident Isle of Man Companies, Trust | Administration Asset Protection. G.T Office:- Tel: 001 809 946 2818 Fax: 001 809 946 2819 I.O.M.Office Tel: 00 44 624 822210 Telex : 628285 Samdan G Fax: 00 44 624 823799

Donations and bequests to:- Irish Kidney Association 'Donor House',

156 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Phone: 01 - 6689788/9 Fax: 01 - 6683820

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