The Official Solicitor to the Senior Courts has released an updated Practice Note on Appointment in Family Proceedings and Proceedings under the Inherent Jurisdiction in Relation to Adults. The new guidance replaces the Practice Note dated March 2013.
The Practice Note concerns:
- the appointment of the Official Solicitor as litigation friend of a protected party or child in family proceedings, where the Family Division of the High Court is being invited to exercise its inherent jurisdiction in relation to a vulnerable adult or where proceedings in relation to a child aged 16 or 17 are transferred into the Court of Protection;
- requests by the court to the Official Solicitor to conduct Harbin v Masterman enquiries; and
- requests by the court to the Official Solicitor to act as, or appoint counsel to act as, an advocate to the court.
Click here to read the updated Practice Note.