The Work of Guardians ad Litem

Abstract

This article outlines the setting up of the panels of guardians ad litem (“G.A.L.”) in 1984 and the criticism the G.A.L. service was subject to. It describes the views and practices of guardians who were members of two panels providing a service to Midlands Courts which were studied by the authors in 1985 and 1986. Guardians may be appointed in a range of cases involving children. This article is concerned only with their appointment in “care cases” that is care proceedings, applications for discharge, etc., of care and supervision orders, proceedings relating to parental rights resolutions and access to children in care. It reviews the problems the guardians encountered, the actions they took and the effects they had on their cases. As a conclusion it discusses whether the experience in these cases justifies or refutes the earlier criticism and considers what the continuing problems for the guardian ad litem service are likely to be.