Richard Martinez Thanks Supporters

The Parental Support Group, on behalf of Richard Martinez, would like to thank all those that confirmed their commitment to a better process in dealing with Separation & Divorce, and how this affects the Family, and especially the Children of any Marriage, by having voted for him.

We are extremely grateful to all political parties for having understood the nature of the cause we were trying to expose to both the politicians and the general public; this issue will no longer be taboo, and because we now believe that more & more citizens will want to talk about their problems, as it relates to their passage through our Judicial & Social Services systems, we are going to continue with the work we started 4 years ago.

We are extremely happy that The Honourable Mr Peter Caruana, PM, has taken this issue so much to heart as to have confirmed a Ministry which reflects directly the nature of our call; the Ministry of Family, Youth & Community Affairs, under which our Social Services will now fall.

We are also very glad to have a Ministry of Justice, and we hope that we can work closely within a committee that will encompass these 2 Ministries, together with the Ministry of Education & Training; we are 100% committed in assisting Mr Caruana and his Ministers in which ever way possible.

But we also believe that for this to be fruitful we also need to engage our Judiciary & Bar; we sincerely hope that they are now in a position to look at these Family issues in a more humane manner, and we call directly on the Chief Justice of the day, to use his power within the Matrimonial Causes Ordinance, under Part XI.-Rules, section 61, and as it refers to (c), ‘with regard to any matter as to which rules may be made under this Act', to once and for all abolish the terms, ‘Custody, Care & Control' with immediate effect, and start referring to ‘Parental & Residential Responsibility' coupled with ‘Parenting Time', commensurate with other Jurisdictions, and in particular to the U.K. legislation, which we invariably turn to for guidance, but find that locally, when referring to these issues, those concerned turn a blind eye to.

Even our own Matrimonial Causes Act does not refer to the term Care & Control, although it does briefly refer to Custody; we do indeed challenge the Chief Justice, to make his views on this issue public and to confirm whether he is in a position to do something positive on this matter.

He now holds the key by which we can bring our Judiciary & Executive closer on Family Affairs, by doing something positive within his judicial responsibilities, by liaising with the Minister responsible for Family, Youth & Community Affairs, under which our Social Services, whose involvement in these matters we have continuously questioned, come under.

Access to our Courts should be made simpler, and a more sympathetic ear provided for families in need of assistance while they go through this traumatic experience which is the break-up of a marriage and the splitting of a family.

We need speedy solutions; not protracted and lengthy procedures.