Latest updates
- The questions were whether a child should be told of his biological father, whether the husband (the psychological father) should be allowed to take the child on holiday to France, and what directions should be given relating to a deceit claim. The mother did not want the child to be told, and the biological father denied his paternity. Cohen J decided that the child should be told when an independent social worker, agreed upon by the parents, thought the time was right. He refused permission for the holiday, not being confident that the child's return could be achieved if the husband took him to the UAE. Cohen J allowed the mother's application to strike out the deceit claim to proceed to a hearing. Judgment, 18/08/2019, free
- A costs order had been made against Mrs Hayes. She sought a stay, because there was a question as to whether Mr Hayes, if required to do so following the conclusion of another claim, would be able to repay the money. Henry Carr J decided that it was unnecessary to grant a stay, given that Mr Hayes had undertaken not to seek enforcement until the other claim was determined, and adjourned the hearing until that had happened. Judgment, 14/06/2019, free
- Report presents the findings from 33 qualitative interviews with a range of professional participants including family judges, legal representatives, Cafcass guardians and social workers News, 16/04/2019, free
- Thoughts set out in the first View from the Chambers of Sir Andrew McFarlane’s tenure as President of the Family Division. News, 25/01/2019, free
- To be broadcast live on 6th March 2019. Listen in free on the day. News, 20/01/2019, free
Latest know-how
- President's Guidance announcing promulgation of the long awaited standard orders for children cases Practice note, 07/06/2018, free
- Standard Orders 2.1 and 2.2 amended Practice note, 16/05/2018, free
- Changes made to allow for fast track procedure Practice note, 09/05/2018, free
- In a tweet: Solicitor ordered to attend court to give evidence regarding location of client's assets Case note, 11/04/2018, members only
- The President seeks to clarify the position, which is the cause of "considerable confusion" Practice note, 28/02/2018, members only
Latest training
- Matthew Long, of 29 Bedford Row, reviews the current best practice guidelines for managing cases involving litigants in person, explains the role of McKenzie Friends and offers some practical tips drawn from his experience. Webcast, 07/02/2018, members only
- Mena Ruparel, a committee member of the Law Society Family Law Section, presents an overview of the revised Law Society Family Law Protocol, revised and re-issued in October 2015. Webcast, 30/11/2015, free
- Webinar first broadcast on Thursday 29 October 2015. Running time: 56 mins approx Webcast, 03/11/2015, members only
- All too often we only think about tactics in the run up to a Final Hearing, or possibly an FDR, but we should be thinking about them at the outset, or at least as soon as we have a picture of the parties’ assets. In this most practical of webinars, Marc Saunderson of Mills & Reeve provides an invaluable toolkit of hints & reminders to help you make the most of the FDA, touching on completing Forms A & E, constructing chronologies and gathering the documentation you need on the day. Webcast, 20/06/2014, members only
- Webinar recorded on 5 June 2013 covering the new costs regimes and its impact for family cases, an update on case funding and direct access and news of the single family court. Webcast, 07/06/2013, members only
Latest sources
- The text of guidance requiring orders in non-financial cases to be drafted on the day of the hearing in the Central Family Court. In force from 12 November 2018 Practice direction, 23/11/2018, free
- Came into force on 23 July 2018 Practice direction, 27/07/2018, free
- New Practice Direction on bundles, supplementing FPR Part 27, will come into force on 23 July. Practice direction, 20/06/2018, free
- Guidance issued December 2016 Practice direction, 16/12/2016, free
- Guidance from Mr Justice Mostyn, approved by the President,on preparation for final hearing before a High Court Judge in financial remedy proceedings. Practice direction, 06/06/2014, free