.
HM Courts & Tribunals Service Mr S Holmes … Lancashire FY6 12 November 2013
Complaints, Correspondence and Litigation Team 1st Floor (1.10) 102 Petty France London SW1H 9AJ
http://www.justice.gov.uk
Our Ref: OPR/055/001/001/12174
Dear Mr Holmes Thank you for your letter[s] of 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 24 October to HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) Chief Executive Peter Handcock and various members of his management team. Your letter has been passed to HMCTS Complaints, Correspondence and Litigation Team (CCLT) to respond. This is because the issues you have raised fall within the remit of this team. I can assure you that this is a normal practice and no discourtesy is intended by this approach. I must also explain that the CCLT is responsible for dealing with complaints in relation to any maladministration, that is staff error, that has occurred in the courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in replying to your letters. I have read your letters and understand that you are disappointed with the judicial decision concerning contact with your children Katie and Ben Holmes. Having considered the issues raised in your emails, I am sorry to inform you that I am unable to comment or intervene on matters relating to judicial decisions. The position with regard to judicial decisions is that no Government Minister or civil servant can intervene in any case that has been the subject of judicial consideration. This is because the judiciary are independent and for anyone to do so would be a breach of this fundamental principle. I am also unable to comment or intervene on judicial conduct issues in your case. I should also explain that it would not be possible to overturn a judicial decision through correspondence with Ministers and civil servants. … I appreciate you taking the time to write to the Chief Executive and other senior members of HMCTS, however regrettably I am unable to assist you any further on this occasion. Yours sincerely
A…… H…… (Mr) Complaints, Correspondence and Litigation Team