The Association of Child Abuse Lawyers says that the fee paid by a local authority to go to court to protect a child at risk of abuse has risen from £150 to £4,825 since May because of the government's drive to make the court service self-funding.
According to reports by social workers and lawyers, there has been a huge decline in the number of care proceedings before the courts since the increase was introduced.
Peter Garsden, managing partner of Abney Garsden McDonald solicitors and president of the association, said: "The huge increase in the court fee for care proceedings has had a massive impact on the willingness of local authorities with cash-strapped budgets to bring care proceedings and remove children from abusive surroundings. We are calling on the government to scrap the increase, and remove the disincentive local authorities presently face."
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