Martin Partington: Spotlight on the Justice System

On 6 April 2011, the Family Proceedings Rules 2010 came into effect. As a result the rules the supporting Practice Directions set out a comprehensive framework for the family jurisdiction. For the first time, family proceedings courts (i.e. magistrates’ courts dealing with family matters) will operate under the same set of rules as the High Court and the county court.

Sir Nicholas Wall, President of the Family Division, has written: “This will serve to improve even further the relationship between the family proceedings court and the county court.

The new framework, modelled on the approach to the Civil Procedure Rules, will contribute to a common understanding and approach across all three tiers of family court, resulting in a more streamlined system to serve court users well.”

For further details go to http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/courts-and-tribunals/courts/procedure-rules/family/frontmatter/fpr_introduction.htm