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The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Team
Under consideration PE2166: Establish a standardised timeframe for civil proceedings in child custody cases
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to establish a standardised timeframe for civil proceedings related to child custody cases, including a 14-day timeframe for proof hearings.
Background information
Over the past six years, extensive experience has revealed the immense challenges faced by courts in handling civil proceedings related to children's custody cases. Not only are courts under significant pressure, but they are often compelled to make decisions based on misleading or false information. This severely undermines the ability to ensure just and informed outcomes for the children involved.
To address this issue, I propose that proof hearings be made mandatory within 14 days of the initiation of any civil action. This provision would facilitate the timely presentation of evidence, enabling courts to make more accurate decisions while reducing opportunities for disinformation to distort proceedings.
Delays in the judicial process cause irreversible harm to children, often leading to their alienation over prolonged periods. False accusations are frequently withdrawn after years of litigation, yet the damage has already been done, leaving children with lifelong emotional scars.
8 signatures
This petition is now under consideration
Click here for further information about the consideration of this petition.