President releases final public law prescribed orders

The President of the Family Division has released the final public law prescribed orders: the Case Management Order (CMO) and the Standard Directions Order (SDO). These orders have been updated in line with the new Public Law Outline (PLO 2014).

The CMO template permits locally agreed standard directions for any of the suggested headings (and more, as appropriate) but the mandatory headings should always be used unless there is a reasoned basis for their exclusion. The CMS material referred to in the template must always be completed but please note that expert code G was a replication and has now been removed. The templates have been altered to be compatible with the new Act and the Rules.

It is an obligation to complete the timetable for proceedings and jurisdiction paragraphs. Where reasons are to be specified, that is because there is a legal obligation to do so. When considering any extension of time beyond 26 weeks, please choose and complete the relevant sub-paragraph by reference to the guidance given in Re S (A Child) [2014] EWCC 16 April.

The public law CMO and SDO are available to download below.

CMO - public law

SDO - public law