Overview

Philip Marcus is an Israeli jurist, who, building on his background as a judge, lawyer and activist for change, is a consultant, researcher, writer and lecturer on Family Law and Family Courts, professional ethics and jurisprudence.

With special emphasis on persons who are affected by family disputes – children, the elderly, and others whose interests might be injured – he has devoted his time, especially since retiring as Judge of the Jerusalem Family Court in 2012, to independent multidisciplinary work, collaborations and consultancy worldwide. By clarifying concepts and objectives, he is promoting initiatives in all areas and disciplines for solutions for families, thereby changing society for the better, by making existing systems more humane and proposing new systems where necessary.

The underlying approach is educational, and for reform where necessary, taking into account cultural and local norms and the needs and resources in each place. Reform proposals must involve stakeholders from all relevant professions and disciplines. For this reason, much of his writings and lectures are directed at inter-disciplinary groups, as well as the general public.

History

Philip Marcus was born and educated in England. After obtaining his LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) degree at University College London, and qualifying as a Solicitor, he moved to Jerusalem in 1978. He was admitted as an Advocate at the Israel Bar in 1979.

He was appointed a Judge of the Jerusalem Magistrates Court in 1995, and served as a Judge of the Family Court from its opening in 1997 until his retirement in 2012.

Philip Marcus obtained a Master’s degree in Law (LL.M.) from Haifa University in 2008.

Consultant & Lecturer

Philip Marcus is a consultant to committees of the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) on all proposed legislation concerning children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.

He is a member of national and international organizations dealing with families in distress and therapeutic jurisprudence, has lectured in many countries on five continents, and is consulted by countries and organizations around the world about Family Court system reform, including, where necessary, proposals for changes in the law.

Member of Organizations

Philip Marcus is a member of the following organizations:

• In-Between, an Israeli non-profit organization founded with the goal of supporting children and families undergoing divorce and further on as they adjust to their new families (including blended families). He is a member of the professional advisory committee and the contact preservation working group. https://balev.org/.
• AFCC, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts https://www.afccnet.org/
• AIFJ, The Association of International Family Judges
• ICFLPP, The International Centre for Family Law, Policy and Practice https://www.icflpp.com/
• ISTJ, The International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence https://www.intltj.com/
• ISFL, The International Society of Family Law https://www.isflhome.org/
• WCFLCR, The World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights http://www.worldcongress.co/
• Philip Marcus is on the panel of lecturers of Mashav, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, and lectures on child law, violence in the family, and Family Courts https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/mashav/Pages/default.aspx
• Philip Marcus is on the panel of lecturers for The Yanar Institute for Marriage and Family Studies. He lectures on family law, child law and professional ethics. https://www.ynrcollege.org/
• PASG Parental Alienation Study Group https://pasg.info/

Publications

Philip Marcus’s articles have appeared in peer-reviewed publications, including Family Court Review, The International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, The Journal of Child Custody, The Yearbook of The International Society of Family Law, the Journal of the Society of Medicine and Law (Israel), Assia, the  Journal of Halacha and Medicine (Israel), the Irish Journal of Family Law, Family Law (International Bar Association), and in professional and academic textbooks, including Parenting Plan Evaluations, and International Perspectives on Disputes about Children and Child Protection, Child and Domestic Abuse.