Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000

Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000

2000 CHAPTER 43

Commentary on Sections

Part I: The New Services

Chapter II : Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)

Section 16: Cross-examination of officers of the Service

70. Section 16 sets out that all CAFCASS officers may be subject to cross-examination, except when exercising the rights given in Section 15.

Section17: Inspection

71. Section 17 amends Section 62 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 by inserting a new Section 3A in order to extend the remit of the Magistrates' Court Inspectorate to include inspecting CAFCASS to monitor and report on its activities. A new Subsection (2A) of Section 63 of the 1997 Act sets out a general right of inspection. It consists of a right of entry to any premises occupied by the Service and also a right to inspect and take copies of any records kept by the Service relating to the performance of its function.