Simon Johnson meets Japanese Child Care Professionals

On 3 May Simon Johnson had the great pleasure of spending the day with a group of Japanese lawyers, social workers and other child care professionals who were on a week-long study visit to London and Cambridge organised by the Japanese Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

The party observed hearings at the Central Family Court before HH Judges Sapanara and Boye and the Presiding Judge, HH Judge Lynn Roberts, very kindly found time in her busy schedule for an informal question and answer session with the group. In the afternoon, Simon gave a short talk on legal aspects of child protection in England and Wales and answered questions.

Simon says of the day –

‘It was a huge pleasure to meet this group and to have the opportunity to exchange views with them. Our discussions showed there are many differences between the approaches of the legal systems of Japan and of England and Wales when dealing with child protection. Each may have something to learn from the other but they come together in their common commitment to doing to best for children who need help and protection.’

Simon would like to thank Shihoko Ogawa, the organiser of the study visit, for her invitation to speak to the group. He would also like to thank all the judiciary whom the group saw and, in particular, HH Judge Lynn Roberts’ clerk, Ms. Laura Henao, for all her work in organising the visit to the Central Family Court.