Family Courts in Hertfordshire

A key part of the High Sheriff's role is to support the judiciary. Recently we spent two very valuable days with Hertfordshire's Family Courts.

The cases we sat in on were mostly concerning children who had been removed, or were likely to be removed, from their parents via interim court orders or adoption. It made us appreciate more keenly how important a loving, safe and secure home environment is for children in determining their future, and the need for early intervention from relevant agencies to try and break the abuse cycle which so easily passes from generation to generation.

On a lighter note, according to the custom started by Bella Stuart-Smith, we provided lunch on our last day which seemed to be well-received by the judges, particularly the calzone pizzas!