Judge praised for writing to boy at centre of family dispute explaining her decision

Recorder Lorraine Morgan wrote outlining her thinking in "child-centred" terms after making a ruling on his case at a private family court hearing in Salisbury.

The judge had been asked to make decisions about when the youngster, who lives with his father, should see his mother.

She decided that he should see his mother at specified times.

The youngster had personally spoken to the judge during the hearing and told her that he wanted a flexible arrangement.

She then wrote to him saying: "I expect you are wondering what the point was of coming to see me about this if I didn't do what you wanted."

Her letter has been described as "insightful" by a more senior judge.

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), a specialist organisation set up to safeguard the interests of children embroiled in the family court proceedings, also welcomed the idea.

Details of the letter emerged last week when the boy's father mounted an appeal against the judge's ruling at a public hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

The man told appeal judge Mrs Justice Roberts that Recorder Morgan's ruling on when the youngster should see his mother was wrong.

Mrs Justice Roberts disagreed and dismissed the appeal.

But she praised Recorder Morgan's letter - saying it was written in "child-centred terms" and was "very insightful".

Cafcass chief executive Anthony Douglas added: "We support any communication to a child or young person, including a letter from the judge, that helps explain how and why the family court made its decision - particularly when these decisions have such a profound impact on their lives.

"Writing a letter to a child explaining a decision is not necessary in every case, but for some children this may make all the difference to their understanding and acceptance of an order."

Mrs Justice Roberts said the boy could not be identified in reports of the case.