Following the recent unprecedented rise in the number of litigants in person now accessing the court service, and the consequent rise in the number and variation in the quality of "McKenzie Friends" assisting LiPs, the Judicial Executive Board has issued a consultation paper proposing and...
Read MoreThe Association of Directors of Children's Services and CAFCASS have - following consultation - issued revised social work evidence templates (SWET). The use of the SWET is endorsed by the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby. Practitioners will note that the templates are slightly...
Read MoreFollowing from the Section 20 Practice Guidance issued by Leicester DFJ HHJ Bellamy, The Transparency Project have issued their own comprehensive Guidance on the use of voluntary accommodation for children by local authorities. The Guidance was accompanied by this press release: PRESS RELEASE Family Court Transparency Charity publish guidance on...
Read MoreTrainee solicitors and legal executives should be aware that a certificate of suitability will be required, with approval from the Designated Family Judge, before rights of audience will be granted to appear in family cases. A comprehensive guidance document can be found here, together with the...
Read MoreHHJ Bellamy has issued guidance in relation to the compliance letter to be included with bundles filed at the Family Court....
Read MoreDesignated Family Judge HHJ Bellamy, in consultation with Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council, has issued an updated Pre-Proceedings Protocol for child protection cases which may be brought under s.31 Children Act 1989. Social workers and lawyers alike should familiarise themselves with the protocol,...
Read MoreIn the light of recent developments in case law in respect of the use (and misuse) of s.20 Children Act 1989 by local authorities when children are voluntarily accommodated in their care, Leicester Designated Family Judge HHJ Bellamy has issued local Section 20 Practice Guidance. The...
Read MoreHis Honour Judge Bellamy, Designated Family Judge, has issued a Judicial Guidance document in relation to the case management of care proceedings heard before Lay Justices and Legal Advisors. All care practitioners are strongly invited to read this Guidance....
Read MoreThe President of the Family Division has issued a statement announcing the release of new standard orders to be used under the Child Arrangements Programme with immediate effect. The intention is to shorten the orders and make them easier and more accessible for court users. The...
Read MoreWomen's Aid have released Nineteen Child Homicides, a report into children killed by domestically abusive fathers when subject to contact orders. The report proposes significant change in the family justice system to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated....
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