§ Mrs. Sally Oppenheimasked the Attorney-General if he will ensure that particular attention is paid in the training programmes for magistrates to the necessity for special training for matrimonial proceedings.
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes. The syllabus for the basic training of newly appointed justices, is set out in the White Paper presented to Parliament in December, 1965 (Cmnd. 2865). This covers instruction in domestic proceedings, with particular reference to the welfare of the parties and their children. In addition, magistrates' courts committees are advised by my noble Friend to make arrangements for the further instruction of all justices by means of courses and conferences dealing with specialised types of work. This includes, of course, a particular study of domestic court work. The Magistrates' Association has also for many years played an active part in the instruction of justices in work of this kind.