The Ministry of Justice and Online Procedure Rule Committee are reforming private family law to enable earlier resolution of disputes, with focus on improving access to justice and reducing court delays. Recent parliamentary questions highlight concerns about CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) neutrality, safeguarding balance, and potential bias against fathers, particularly regarding parental responsibility retention. The Courts and Tribunals Bill contains relevant provisions under clause 17.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Parental Orders were issued in 2025, 2024 and 2023.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been an impact assessment of clause 17 of the Courts and Tribunals Bill on fathers in prison who are trying to retain parental responsibility.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what training is provided to staff of CAFCASS on unconscious bias, with particular reference to fathers in family court proceedings.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how CAFCASS ensures that safeguarding considerations are balanced with the rights of both parents to maintain meaningful relationships with children.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance is issued to Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service officers on ensuring neutrality between parents in family court proceedings.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many complaints have been made against CAFCASS in each of the last five years alleging (a) discrimination and (b) bias against fathers; and how many such complaints were upheld.
UIN: HLWS1412 My Right Honourable Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Rt Hon David Lammy MP) has today made the following statement:"I am pleased to announce, today, the national rollout of the Child …
UIN: HCWS1408 I am pleased to announce, today, the national rollout of the Child Focused Model, formerly known as the Private Law Pathfinder, in the family courts.The Child Focused Model implements substantial reform to private law children’s proceedings. With the …
UIN: HCWS979 My noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Baroness Levitt KC), has today made the following statement:"I am pleased to announce today that the Government will repeal the presumption of parental involvement when Parliame...
UIN: HLWS976 I am pleased to announce today that the Government will repeal the presumption of parental involvement when Parliamentary time allows.Section 1(1) of the Children Act 1989 states that the child’s welfare shall be the court’s paramount consideration when …
The Family Procedure Rule Committee is consulting publicly on new Family Procedure Rule (FPR) 25.5A concerning the instruction of unregulated experts. The consultation also includes amendments to FPR 25.2 and Practice Directions (PDs) 25B and 25C.
This report is an update on the implementation of the government’s Pathfinder programme for private law reform.
The Family Procedure Rule Committee is consulting publicly on new Family Procedure Rule (FPR) 25.5A concerning the instruction of unregulated experts. The consultation also includes amendments to FPR 25.2 and Practice Directions (PDs) 25B and 25C.
In response to: Supporting earlier resolution of private family law arrangements
In response to: Supporting earlier resolution of private family law arrangements
A consultation on resolving private family disputes earlier through family mediation.
In response to: Increasing the use of mediation in the civil justice system
The Ministry of Justice is seeking views from all interested parties on the Government’s proposals to increase the use of mediation in the civil justice system.
These Regulations make amendments to the Registration of Marriage Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/207) which are consequential on the amendments made to the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (c. 18) by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11) updating the …
A consultation on resolving private family disputes earlier through family mediation.
Seeking views on the principle of proposed amendments to the Family Procedure Rules and Practice Directions, to encourage early resolution of private law arrangements.
A public call for evidence on how the family courts protect children and parents in private law children cases concerning domestic abuse and other serious offences.
Seeking views on the principle of proposed amendments to the Family Procedure Rules and Practice Directions, to encourage early resolution of private law arrangements.
A consultation on resolving private family disputes earlier through family mediation.
UIN: HCWS666 Today, the Government is launching a consultation that will inform proposals to support more families, in appropriate cases, to agree their children and financial arrangements without court involvement.Family courts are under unprecedented pressure. In re...
UIN: HLWS655 My Right Honourable Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has made the following statement:'Today, the Government is launching a consultation that will inform proposals to support more families, in appropriat...
The Ministry of Justice is seeking views from all interested parties on the Government’s proposals to increase the use of mediation in the civil justice system.
The Ministry of Justice is seeking views from all interested parties on the Government’s proposals to increase the use of mediation in the civil justice system.
We recommend that before any court case there should be compulsory use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. This often happens before the start of a trial but should happen before the issuing of any court proceedings. We recommend that the …
These Regulations bring into force on the 6th April 2022 those provisions of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11) which are not already into force. Sections 6(2) to (7), 7 to 9 came into force on Royal …
These Regulations bring into force on the 6th April 2022 those provisions of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11) which are not already into force. Sections 6(2) to (7), 7 to 9 came into force on Royal …
These Regulations make amendments to primary and secondary legislation consequential on the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11) (“the Act”).
Motion to Approve 12:01:00 Moved by Lord Stewart of Dirleton: That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 11 January be approved. Relevant document: 27th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee. Considered in Grand Committee on 8 February …
Considered in Grand Committee 15:45:00 Moved by Lord Stewart of Dirleton: That the Grand Committee do consider the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (Consequential amendments) Regulations 2022. Relevant document: 27th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee The Advocate-General …
This Order amends the Family Proceedings Fees Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1054) (“the Fees Order”). Articles 3(2), (3)(a), (8) and (9)(b) amend the Fees Order to reflect changes in terminology resulting from the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (c. 11). …
These Rules amend the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (“the FPR”) (S.I. 2010/2955) to give procedural effect to the revised legislative framework brought about by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (“DDSA 2020”).
This Call for Evidence is seeking evidence on Dispute Resolution from all interested parties, the judiciary, legal profession, mediators and other dispute resolvers, academics, the advice sector, court users. We are particularly interested in collecting evidence from individuals or organisations …
This Call for Evidence is seeking evidence on Dispute Resolution from all interested parties, the judiciary, legal profession, mediators and other dispute resolvers, academics, the advice sector, court users. We are particularly interested in collecting evidence from individuals or organisations …
Seeking views on proposed amendments to Part 6 (Service) and new rules in Part 7 (Procedure for Applications in Matrimonial and Civil Partnership Proceedings) of the Family Procedure Rules 2010.
Seeking views on proposed amendments to Part 6 (Service) and new rules in Part 7 (Procedure for Applications in Matrimonial and Civil Partnership Proceedings) of the Family Procedure Rules 2010.
UIN: HCWS562 On the 25th June 2020, the Government published the Final Report on Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases, alongside an Implementation Plan. The Report contained a number of recommendations from a …
UIN: HLWS555 My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Chalk) has made the following Written Statement."On the 25th June 2020, the Government published the Final Report on Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in …
UIN: HLWS308 My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Chalk) has made the following Written Statement."In May 2019, the Ministry of Justice established a panel of experts to lead a review into how the family courts …
Committee 16:11:00 Clause: 1: Divorce: removal of requirement to establish facts etc Amendment 1 Moved by 1: Clause 1, page 1, line 7, leave out from “court” to end of line 15 and insert “to initiate the process for an …
Committee (Continued) 19:34:00 Amendment 4 Moved by 4: Clause 1, page 2, line 8, leave out “20” and insert “46” Member’s explanatory statement This would extend the minimum legal period for a divorce from six months to one year (with …
Second Reading 15:50:00 Moved by Lord Keen of Elie: That the Bill be read a second time. The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Keen of Elie) (Con): My Lords, this is a Bill for every family going through the upheaval of …
The Bill makes important changes to the legal process for married couples to obtain a divorce, for civil partners to dissolve their civil partnership, or for obtaining a judicial separation.
First Reading 15:18:00 A Bill to make in relation to marriage and civil partnership in England and Wales provision about divorce, dissolution and separation; and for connected purposes. The Bill was introduced by Lord Keen of Elie, read a first …
This consultation seeks views as to whether the Family Procedure Rule 2010 should be amended in relation to the treatment of Calderbank offers when determining issues relating to costs.
First Reading 15:18:00 A Bill to provide for a review by the Lord Chancellor of the law of England and Wales relating to divorce and judicial separation and to the dissolution of civil partnerships and the separation of civil partners. …
A public call for evidence on how the family courts protect children and parents in private law children cases concerning domestic abuse and other serious offences.
A public call for evidence on how the family courts protect children and parents in private law children cases concerning domestic abuse and other serious offences.
This consultation seeks views as to whether the Family Procedure Rule 2010 should be amended in relation to the treatment of Calderbank offers when determining issues relating to costs.
Second Reading 12:53:00 The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Mr David Gauke): I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. Marriage will always be one of our most important institutions. It is …
Seeking views on how best to change the law to reduce family conflict and strengthen family responsibility.
Seeking views on how best to change the law to reduce family conflict and strengthen family responsibility.
Seeking views on how best to change the law to reduce family conflict and strengthen family responsibility.
A consultation on the proposed practice direction to facilitate vulnerable witnesses in family proceedings.
A consultation on proposed amendments to Part 9 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010: Applications for a Financial Remedy.
First Reading 15:42:00 A Bill to provide for a review by the Lord Chancellor of the law of England and Wales relating to divorce and judicial separation and to the dissolution of civil partnerships and the separation of civil partners. …
A consultation on proposed amendments to Part 9 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010: Applications for a Financial Remedy.
A consultation on proposed amendments to Part 9 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010: Applications for a Financial Remedy.
A consultation on the proposed practice direction to facilitate vulnerable witnesses in family proceedings.
A consultation on the proposed practice direction to facilitate vulnerable witnesses in family proceedings.
A further consultation on the redrafted Debt Protocol.
A further consultation on the redrafted Debt Protocol.
How the government is working to make the family justice system work better for families and put children’s needs first at all times.
The government’s response to the report and recommendations of the external Voice of the Child: Dispute Resolution Advisory Group.
Second Reading 09:34:00 John Hemming: I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. It is indeed a privilege to propose legislation in a private Member’s Bill. When I found out, through the usual process of …