Family Proceedings: Court Orders
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the operation of different and overlapping family court orders in practice; and what steps his Department is taking to improve clarity and consistency for those affected.
Answered by Catherine Atkinson
When applying to the Family Courts, applicants are asked to provide details of any previous or concurrent proceedings. In private law proceedings, HMCTS court staff will also undertake a search of case management systems to identify any linked proceedings, including any existing orders, and bring these to the attention of the judge or the justices’ legal adviser on the case. In public law children proceedings, the local authority will be asked to state on their application form if there are any other related proceedings.
The court will then consider the application. It is a matter for the court to determine whether that or any other orders ought to be made, remain in place, be varied or discharged.
We are seeking to improve the range and detail of data we publish, including about cases which return to court. Some of this work will be captured in the Family Justice Strategy, which will be published later this year.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →