Case management and the family court: Part 1: case management defined

David Burrows  Solicitor Advocate

Case management is central to affordable justice. Already Family Procedure Rules 2010 Part 1 and 4 (alongside Civil Procedure Rules 1998 Part 1 and 3) give the case management judge powers to deal with cases proportionately. The overriding objective in FPR 2010 r 1.1 dictates fairness (and echoes European Convention 1950 Art 6(1) (right to a fair trial)); and it is backed by duties in the court to manage cases and in the parties to help and support the court.

This article is the first in a short series written as the family court (expected to commence on 22 April) prepares to become an administrative reality. The series will look at a variety of case management issues. In this first article it considers in particular adding (formerly ‘joinder of') parties and provides a precedent for an appropriate case management direction.

A variety of amendment rules are expected in March. The series will ensure consistent with publishing schedules that all amendment rules are cited (where appropriate).