Family Law

The President of the Family Division has released FPR Practice Direction 36C - PILOT SCHEME: CARE AND SUPERVISION PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS UNDER PART 4 OF THE CHILDREN ACT 1989 (available to download below), which comes into force on 1 July 2013.

The Pilot Scheme applies to Part 4 proceedings (defined in FPR 12.2), which are started in any magistrates' court, county court and the High Court in accordance with the Allocation Order and the Guidance on allocation of proceedings issued from time to time by the President.

The purpose of the Pilot Scheme is to assess the use of new practices and procedures to support the 26-week time limit for Part 4 proceedings.

During the operation of the Pilot Scheme, the Family Procedure Rules 2010 and the Practice Directions supporting those Rules will apply with modifications that are outlined in detail within the Practice Direction.

The Annex (also available to download below) contains a table setting out the key stages in the Public Law Outline process, including a pre-proceedings checklist, guidance on issuing and allocation, case management and the Issues Resolution Hearing, together with further timetabling and procedural information.

• Legislation & Guidance
• Practice Guidance

• Amy Sanders