Family law reform

Family law reform

Consultation tracker—Family

The Family consultation tracker tool displays the current status and developments in relation to key consultations, calls for evidence and inquiries (collectively referred to as 'consultations') being conducted by the judiciary, the UK Government and other bodies that have an impact on family law.

Pilot schemes in the Family Court

A number of pilot schemes are in operation in the Family Court. They are set out in Family Procedure Rules (FPR 2010), SI 2010/2955, Pt 36, and the associated Practice Directions. Many, although not all, of the pilot schemes are part of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) digitalisation programme, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of family proceedings. Pilot schemes that are in operation include those in relation to divorce, private and public children, financial remedy applications, consent orders, transparency, video hearings, female genital mutilation and forced marriage protection orders.

See Practice Note: Pilot schemes in the Family Court.

FPR 2010—recent and forthcoming amendments

FPR 2010 are the main procedural rules that apply to family proceedings, with supporting Practice Directions. In the Practice Note: FPR 2010—recent and forthcoming amendments,

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Latest Family News

Family weekly highlights—21 November 2024

This week’s edition of Family considers the interface between property law and financial remedy in the context of bankruptcy and the role of the financial dispute resolution hearing in financial remedy proceedings. Four new flowcharts setting out the steps to be taken in applications for financial provision after overseas divorce or dissolution and applications for pension sharing orders are set out, together with details of a new webinar on AI and family law.

Exceptional reasons required to bypass FDRs (GH v GH)

Family analysis: In GH v GH, Mr Justice Peel confirmed the importance of the financial dispute resolution hearing (FDR) and that bypassing this hearing to go from first appointment to final hearing is only appropriate in exceptional circumstances. This applies even where financial positions are not fully crystallised at the time of the FDR.

Family weekly highlights—14 November 2024

This week's edition of Family weekly highlights includes details of the latest Family Procedure Rule Committee meeting minutes, the President of the Family Division’s address to the British Society of Paediatric Radiologists and the Family Justice Council’s 17th annual debate. Judgments in relation to parental orders, charging orders and overseas adoption are considered. Details of a new toolkit on Scottish family law are set out.

The interface between property law and financial remedy in the context of bankruptcy (DDR v BDR)

Family analysis: This judgment shows the court adopting a highly structured approach to the determination of questions of property law prior to the determination of a financial remedy application against a backdrop of bankruptcy proceedings, procedural and evidential confusion and limited involvement of lawyers until a late stage. It is also a user-friendly reminder of the court's approach to common intention constructive trusts and the quantification of beneficial interests in a sole legal owner case.