In this episode, Richard Thomson discusses his campaign, Level Playing Field, aimed at reforming family courts to ensure fairness and support for children. He shares his personal experiences with the family court system, highlighting the flaws and advocating for changes to safeguard children’s interests. The conversation covers the campaign’s objectives, engagement with political figures, and ways for the public to support the initiative.
You can also watch the full episode on YouTube or X. Now, since “Reflections & Reactions” segment of the podcast is soon to become exclusive to Substack & X, I will not drop the YouTube link over here. But instead I will put in the link for video on X:
One of the really interesting takeaway from this conversation was when Richard explained about the non-molestation order and how its used in family court by disgruntled ex-partners:
Richard Thomson’s Level Playing Field is not just a campaign; it’s a movement designed to expose and rectify the flaws within the family court system. Richard highlights the existing loopholes that fail to protect the most vulnerable—children. He emphasizes that while many organizations provide advice to those navigating the family court, there has been little effort to create a cohesive strategy for reform. Richard’s goal is to advocate for a system that genuinely prioritizes the well-being of children, rather than the legal manoeuvring of parents.
Richard’s motivation for starting this campaign is deeply personal. He has first-hand experience with the family court system and has witnessed its shortcomings. He explains, “I’ve seen many, many flaws within that system that really isn’t set up in a way to support the children, which is what it should be about.” This campaign is not merely an emotional response to his experiences; rather, Richard seeks to champion the voices of future families who will navigate this challenging system.
Another interesting clip from this conversation is when Richard talks about incentivising family courts to keep the interest of children at the heart of everything it does:
Richard argues that the issues within the family court system extend beyond direct participants. He posits that everyone is indirectly affected, including grandparents, siblings, and the broader community. Drawing on a 2013 report from the Center for Social Justice, he notes that a staggering 76% of children in custody have experienced an absentee father. This statistic underscores the urgent need for reform in family law, as fractured families lead to broader societal issues, including youth crime.
As Richard sets up the Level Playing Field organization, he is actively engaging with MPs to gain political support for his cause. He shares that there is a growing interest among politicians in advocating for these necessary reforms. Richard mentions, “There are a number of MPs that are interested in supporting this... and are asking parliamentary questions on my behalf.” This collaboration aims to bring attention to the statistics and data that highlight the injustices within the family court system.
Objectives of the Campaign
Richard outlines three primary objectives for the Level Playing Field campaign:
1. **Close Safeguarding Loopholes**: Richard points to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, which has created barriers for those needing legal aid, often leading to misleading claims in court. He seeks to amend this system to ensure that legal aid is accessible and used appropriately.
2. **Promote Fairness in Child Arrangements**: The campaign aims to ensure that the family court prioritizes children’s relationships with both parents, advocating for a fair assessment of each case without financial bias.
3. **Increase Accountability**: Richard stresses the need for greater accountability within the family court system to prevent the adversarial nature of proceedings from overshadowing the best interests of the child.
Main takeaways
Level Playing Field is a campaign to reform family courts.
Richard Thomson’s personal experiences motivate his advocacy.
The campaign aims to close safeguarding loopholes in legal aid.
Children’s welfare should be the primary focus in family courts.
The adversarial nature of family courts needs to be addressed.
Engagement with MPs is crucial for the campaign’s success.
Legal aid should not be exploited for strategic advantages.
The campaign seeks to incentivize child-focused legal proceedings.
Public support is essential for raising awareness and effecting change.
The campaign aims to help those who feel forgotten by the system.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Level Playing Field
02:03 Personal Motivation Behind the Campaign
07:25 Political Support and Advocacy
11:00 Objectives of the Campaign
24:32 How to Support the Campaign
