In its 70-page response to the consultation on Lord Gillen’s draft report, the Bar queried “the financial cost and the ability to secure funding for such significant reforms, whether to the court structure, the provision of services or in regards to technology use and improvements”.

It added: “The Report does acknowledge this to a degree but in no way provides any detail on the cost implications of the various proposals or recommendation.

“The Bar would encourage the Department of Justice to provide an early indicative view on the financial viability of the recommendations and the likelihood of progression under the current mandate.”

While acknowledging costing was beyond the remit of the review, the Bar believes “the context of proposed reductions to legal aid funding and changes to representation in the family court cannot be ignored”.

It also expressed concerns that the draft report “only adds more recommendations for reform into an already crowded arena which is hampered by significant budgetary restraints”.

The full consultation response can be found on the Bar’s website.