UK considers changes to expert testimony rules for family court cases

The Family Procedure Rule Committee has proposed changes to the Family Procedure Rules in England and Wales to limit the use of unregulated experts in family court cases involving children. This initiative addresses concerns about unregistered individuals, often using the title 'psychologist,' providing evidence in cases involving the disputed concept of 'parental alienation.' The proposed changes would require that only experts regulated by a UK statutory body or those on an accredited register be permitted to provide evidence, with exceptions allowed only in exceptional circumstances. This move aims to ensure that expert testimony in family courts meets appropriate standards of qualification and regulation.

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