§ Margaret MoranTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when she intends to report on the use of third party orders in respect of domestic violence under section 60 of the Family Law Act 1986. [43074]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonLast November I announced that we would be commissioning a short research project to assess the implications and benefits of introducing third party orders, as provided under section 60 of the Family Law Act 1996.
The research project was awarded to Dr. Mandy Burton of the university of Leicester on 12 March 2002 and will run from 15 March to 22 September 2002. The research will consider the effectiveness of all civil remedies currently available to survivors of domestic violence. Where any gaps are identified, consideration will be given as to whether or not the implementation of section 60 would fill them.
The Lord Chancellor and I will consider the findings of the research and announce our response at the earliest opportunity.