Family Law

This Practice Direction has been issued by Lord Chief Justice following the introduction of the Access to Justice Act 1999 (Destination of Appeals) (Family Proceedings) Order 2009 (the Destination Order").

The Destination Order changes the route of appeal against a decision of the magistrates' court in family and related proceedings so that the appeal lies to a county court instead of to the High Court. The relevant statutory appeal route for this Practice Direction is the one contained in section 4(7) of the Maintenance Orders Act 1958 (Variation of orders registered in magistrates' courts).

This Practice Direction came into force on 6 April 2009.

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