*/
Family
A unified code of procedure for the family courts has been published.
The Family Procedure Rules 2010, which come into force on 6 April, will replace existing rules of court for family proceedings.
The rules as enacted by statutory instrument follow a similar structure to that of the Civil Procedure Rules and comprise nearly 300 pages.
They provide a new code of procedure for family proceedings in the High Court, county court and magistrates’ courts.
Stephen Cobb QC, Chair of the Family Law Bar Association (“FLBA”), said the FLBA welcomed the publication of the “long-awaited” Rules.
“I believe that practitioners will find the rules user-friendly given the modernisation of the language, and the streamlining of many of the procedures,” he said.
“For the first time, we will have a unified code of practice for all tiers of court. Under the guiding lodestar of the overriding objective (ie to enable the court to deal with cases justly, having regard to any welfare issues involved), the procedural “code” is comprehensive and clear.
“Importantly, early in the rules is to be found the requirement that the court must consider, at every stage in proceedings, whether alternative dispute resolution is appropriate (rule 3.2) — an important provision which I believe is likely to attract the support of all those engaged in the field of family justice.
“Most of the Practice Directions are yet to be published; they will provide the important buttress to the rules themselves.”
The FLBA is organising a training event on 9 March 2011, to be led by Senior District Judge Waller, with a question and answer session for a panel of experts.
The Family Procedure Rules 2010, which come into force on 6 April, will replace existing rules of court for family proceedings.
The rules as enacted by statutory instrument follow a similar structure to that of the Civil Procedure Rules and comprise nearly 300 pages.
They provide a new code of procedure for family proceedings in the High Court, county court and magistrates’ courts.
Stephen Cobb QC, Chair of the Family Law Bar Association (“FLBA”), said the FLBA welcomed the publication of the “long-awaited” Rules.
“I believe that practitioners will find the rules user-friendly given the modernisation of the language, and the streamlining of many of the procedures,” he said.
“For the first time, we will have a unified code of practice for all tiers of court. Under the guiding lodestar of the overriding objective (ie to enable the court to deal with cases justly, having regard to any welfare issues involved), the procedural “code” is comprehensive and clear.
“Importantly, early in the rules is to be found the requirement that the court must consider, at every stage in proceedings, whether alternative dispute resolution is appropriate (rule 3.2) — an important provision which I believe is likely to attract the support of all those engaged in the field of family justice.
“Most of the Practice Directions are yet to be published; they will provide the important buttress to the rules themselves.”
The FLBA is organising a training event on 9 March 2011, to be led by Senior District Judge Waller, with a question and answer session for a panel of experts.
Family
A unified code of procedure for the family courts has been published.
The Chair of the Bar sets out how the new government can restore the justice system
In the first of a new series, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth considers the fundamental need for financial protection
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Possibly, but many barristers are glad he did…
Mental health charity Mind BWW has received a £500 donation from drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory, AlphaBiolabs as part of its Giving Back campaign
The Institute of Neurotechnology & Law is thrilled to announce its inaugural essay competition
How to navigate open source evidence in an era of deepfakes. By Professor Yvonne McDermott Rees and Professor Alexa Koenig
Brie Stevens-Hoare KC and Lyndsey de Mestre KC take a look at the difficulties women encounter during the menopause, and offer some practical tips for individuals and chambers to make things easier
Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice since January 2021, is well known for his passion for access to justice and all things digital. Perhaps less widely known is the driven personality and wanderlust that lies behind this, as Anthony Inglese CB discovers
The Chair of the Bar sets out how the new government can restore the justice system
No-one should have to live in sub-standard accommodation, says Antony Hodari Solicitors. We are tackling the problem of bad housing with a two-pronged approach and act on behalf of tenants in both the civil and criminal courts