President of the Family Division: Legal Wales Conference PFD Speech on Children's Rights

• The President of the Family Division delivered a keynote speech at the Legal Wales Conference on October 9, 2026, discussing children's rights.
• The speech highlighted Wales's commitment to embedding children's rights in public decision-making and the role of the Child Focused Court.
• The United Kingdom ratified the UNCRC in 1991, 35 years prior to the conference, making it the most widely endorsed human rights treaty globally.
• The UNCRC outlines civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights for individuals under 18.
• These developments signify a shift in family justice, recognizing children as participants with rights and voices, not just subjects of proceedings.

This transformation moves away from a traditional view where children were primarily seen as the subjects of legal proceedings, towards an understanding that acknowledges them as participants endowed with their own rights, distinct voices, and inherent dignity.

The President of the Family Division delivered a significant keynote address at the Legal Wales Conference in Cardiff on October 9, 2026, focusing on the evolving landscape of children's rights within the justice system. The speech highlighted the profound impact of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) since its ratification by the United Kingdom 35 years prior, in 1991. This address underscored a pivotal shift in how children are perceived within legal proceedings, moving from mere subjects to active participants with inherent rights and dignity.

During the conference, the President of the Family Division articulated three interconnected developments central to this transformation. These included Wales's distinct and proactive commitment to embedding children's rights into public decision-making processes, the broader influence of the UNCRC itself, and the critical role of children's rights in the establishment and operation of the Child Focused Court in Wales. These elements collectively signify a fundamental reorientation of family justice.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989 and subsequently ratified by the UK in 1991, stands as the most widely endorsed human rights treaty globally. It comprehensively outlines the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights applicable to every child and young person under the age of eighteen. The principles enshrined within the UNCRC have, over time, profoundly reshaped perspectives on children, public services, and the very nature of justice.

Despite its widespread acceptance, the UNCRC's core tenets continue to provoke fundamental questions for legal systems and society. These include how to genuinely listen to a child's perspective, the appropriate extent to which a child’s voice should influence judicial decision-making, and whether a legal framework can truly be considered child-centred if children themselves remain largely unheard in processes that directly affect them. These complex inquiries are at the heart of ongoing reforms.

Wales has emerged as a leader in confronting the challenging questions posed by the UNCRC, actively working to integrate children's rights into its public decision-making frameworks. This distinctive commitment is evident in initiatives such as the Child Focused Court, which represents a tangible manifestation of the principles advocated by the President of the Family Division regarding children's participation in family justice. The emphasis is on ensuring children are recognized as individuals with their own voices and dignity.

The development of the Child Focused Court in Wales is a direct outcome of the increasing recognition of children's rights, aiming to create a judicial environment where children are not merely passive recipients of decisions but active stakeholders. This approach seeks to address the historical imbalance where children were primarily viewed as the subjects of proceedings, rather than individuals whose rights and perspectives should be central to the process.

The collective impact of Wales's dedicated efforts, the pervasive influence of the UNCRC, and the establishment of the Child Focused Court signifies a substantial paradigm shift within family justice. This transformation moves away from a traditional view where children were primarily seen as the subjects of legal proceedings, towards an understanding that acknowledges them as participants endowed with their own rights, distinct voices, and inherent dignity. This re-evaluation demands a new approach to judicial decision-making, where the child's voice is actively sought and considered.

This evolving perspective challenges legal practitioners and the judiciary to adapt, ensuring that the principles of children's participation are not just theoretical but are practically embedded in every stage of the legal process. The goal is to foster a system where the unique contributions and rights of children are consistently upheld, reflecting the spirit of the UNCRC and the progressive vision articulated at the Legal Wales conference.

Lawyers practicing in family law in Wales should be aware of the increasing emphasis on embedding children's rights and voices in public decision-making and judicial processes, particularly within the context of the Child Focused Court and the UNCRC. This requires adapting advocacy strategies to ensure children are recognized as active participants with distinct rights, not merely subjects of proceedings.

Source: Original reporting from the Legal Wales Conference keynote address.