New Practice Direction published

A new practice direction, Residence And Contact Orders: Domestic Violence And Harm, was published by the President of the Family Division today.

The Practice Direction applies to any family proceedings in the High Court, a county court or a magistrates court in which an application is made for a residence order or a contact order in respect of a child under the Children Act 1989 or the Adoption and Children Act 2002 or in which any question arises about residence or about contact between a child and a parent or other family member.

The practice set out in this Direction is to be followed in any case in which it is alleged, or there is otherwise reason to suppose, that the subject child or a party has experienced domestic violence perpetrated by another party or that there is a risk of such violence.

A copy can be downloaded from the Newswatch Practice Guidance section by clicking here.