Instances of unprofessional conduct across England were uncovered inresearch by the Oxford Centre for Family Law and Policy for theDepartment for Constitutional Affairs. It also found that solicitorsfelt few interpreters were familiar with the Children Act 1989.
The findings have led the researchers to call for mandatory training forinterpreters working in this field. The Department for ConstitutionalAffairs has yet to respond.
Most parents interviewed did not report any racist incidents, althoughsome reported incidents of disrespectful and uninformed comments. Forsome solicitors, fear of offending a parent had constrainedpractice.
"It is somewhat bizarre that the very behaviour most practitioners wishto avoid could result in an avoidance of discussions that some parentswanted," said the report.
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