Remembering Sir James Munby, a Giant of Family Justice

Forensic Testing Service (FTS) is saddened to learn of the passing of Sir James Munby, the former President of the Family Division.

Sir James Munby image courtesy of The Judiciary

Sir Munby served as president of the family division from 2013-2018, before being succeeded by Sir Andrew McFarlane.

He was widely respected as a fierce advocate for the children and families that FTS serves every day.

He championed three core principles that resonate deeply with our mission:

• Transparency: He fought to pull back the curtain on the family courts, arguing that “justice must be seen to be done” to maintain public confidence and protect the rights of those involved.
• A focus on the child: Munby brought a human touch to the family courts, reminding the courts that at the heart of every legal battle is a child whose future hangs in the balance. He insisted that their welfare be the priority.
• Evidence-based decision-making: He understood that for a court to make life-changing decisions, it required access to all the available facts.

A Lasting Impact

Sir Munby didn’t just interpret the law but held up a mirror to it. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the UK family courts never lost sight of the people it was built to serve. He wasn’t afraid to speak truth to power about shortcomings in the judicial system.

As we pay tribute to Sir Munby’s extraordinary life, FTS remains committed to his vision of a fairer, more transparent family justice system.

While drug and alcohol testing providers like FTS play a small role in the family courts, we take our responsibility to right by families seriously.

We strive to uphold Sir Munby’s legacy by providing the courts with all the facts needed for informed decision-making. We never apply Society of Hair Testing cut-off levels to our findings, always reports all results and provide expert explanation as to what those results mean. We don’t take shortcuts when the wellbeing of a child and family is at stake.

FTS will continue to provide reliable drug and alcohol evidence to ensure that vulnerable children and families are treated with dignity and the courts can act with clarity.