RFFJ met with the SDLP assembly party, we were warmly greeted by Pat Ramsey and Patsy Mc Glone and taken to party offices. After introductions from each MLA present the floor was opened up to RFFJ members to give personal accounts of their experiences with family law in Northern Ireland, reporting restrictions on personal cases does not allow for this information to be published.

MLA’s listened and were shocked by the events that were told to them; this was furthered then by Hugh Mc Cloy opening the discussion on family Law and was promptly followed by Pete Morris who included domestic violence in his retort.

MLA’s present then took turns to ask questions on research and reports provided by RFFJ, each of which were answered at length, supported with laws and statistics.

Discussed Also was the actions of RM John Meehan, Dungannon and Omagh family court; it was put to the SDLP that this particular judge was acting backwards in respect to written law in terms of no delay. It has been widely reported that this judge insets a period of delay of up to 3 months before court cases are listed.

In respect to a meeting between the Gender Equality Unit, the SDLP will be taking swift action upon the negation of commitments by this unit and will be seeking a meeting to clarify their position.

Violation of Human Rights was also discussed in term of the family bench book in where guidance is given to allow judges to violate articles 6 & 8 and the legality of such violations.

The SDLP have committed to aiding RFFJ in the creation of change in family law and provision of help and supports networks for men, no other party in the history of N.Ireland politics have made such a commitment and the SDLP are most welcoming in the proposals put forward by RFFJ.

RFFJ, thank the SDLP for their efforts and their commitment to the meeting; it has been two very long years since Pete Morris first took the step to lobby MLA’s for such a meeting.

Present:

RFFJ:

· Pete Morris - regional coordinator

· Hugh Mc Cloy – R&D officer

· Brian Quinn

· Cliff Owens

SDLP:

· Pat Ramsey MLA, Chief Whip. SDLP Spokesperson on Employment and Learning

· Patsy Mc Glone MLA. SDLP Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Affairs

· Dominic Bradley MLA. SDLP Spokesperson on Education, Irish language

· Alex Attwood MLA. SDLP Spokesperson on OFMDFM, North-South Development, Policing Board member

· Dolores Kelly MLA. Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly Environment Committee

· Mary Bradley MLA. SDLP Spokesperson on Older People and Children (OFMDFM)

· John Dallat MLA, SDLP Spokesperson on Environment

· Conall McDevitt