More custody cases before courts in Lower Saxony

Further increase - More custody cases before courts in Lower Saxony

The number of custody cases before Lower Saxony courts has continued to rise in the past year. A total of approximately 20,500 proceedings were handled by district and higher regional courts, as the Ministry of Justice in Hannover reported to the German Press Agency upon request. This is about 600 more than the previous year. Since 2021, the number has reportedly been increasing annually, with around 18,650 proceedings in 2021.

According to the Ministry, there is a priority and acceleration requirement for certain custody cases - these proceedings are given priority and processed more quickly if, for example, the welfare of the child is at risk. The duration of the proceedings increased only slightly in the past year compared to 2022. On average, they lasted about 3.5 months at the district courts and slightly over three months at the higher regional courts.

Daniela Rump, Chairwoman of the Child Protection League in Lower Saxony, emphasizes that the welfare of the child should be the top priority in all decisions. "Often, the claim that the child's welfare should be the top priority is not given sufficient consideration. Instead, it often goes too far in weighing the interests of the parents," Rump said. In custody matters, the focus is often more on parental rights than on the wishes or needs of the children.

1. The Higher Regional Court in Lower Saxony, a crucial part of the judicial system, has been handling a significant number of custody cases.
2. The Ministry of Justice in Hanover, located in the same region, has reported an annual increase in custody cases since 2021, reaching approximately 20,500 proceedings in 2022.
3. The German Press Agency was informed that there has been a noticeable increase in child welfare cases, with around 600 more cases in 2022 compared to the previous year.
4. The Ministry of Justice has implemented a priority and acceleration requirement for certain custody cases to ensure swift action, particularly when the child's welfare is at risk.
5. Daniela Rump, the Chairwoman of the Child Protection League in Lower Saxony, has expressed concern about the focus on parental rights over children's welfare in custody matters, urging that the child's best interests should always be the top priority.

Read also:

• Tough return to normality in snow and ice
• Steinmeier joined a moment of silence - a legal battle over an AfD protest.
• German national soccer team on their way to participate in the European Championship qualifying matches.
• The flooding has lessened, but the aftermath of mud remains.