Practice directions
Practice Directions support relevant rules. In particular they set out procedures that mean to achieve uniformity in practice. In addition they tell parties what the courts expect of them and what the parties can expect of the courts if they for example do not comply with the courts' directions.
The information linked to from the section below is maintained by HM Courts Service, who are responsible for keeping these areas up to date. If you have any queries, please contact their web team.
Recent Practice Directions
Recent Practice Directions
5 August 2009
Practice direction supplementing Part 4, Rule 17 of the Family Procedure (Adoption) Rules 2005
5 August 2009
Practice direction supplementing rules 8.A1 and 8.2 to 8.2G of the Family Proceedings Rules 1991 (PDF 172kb)
Related link:
SI No. 2027 (L22) - The Family Proceedings (Amendment) (no 3) Rules 2009
20 May 2009
Introduction by Lord Chief Justice
Amendment No. 22 to the Consolidated Criminal Practice Direction
30 April 2009
President of the Family Division guidance
Care Proceedings involving placement order applications – Attendance of the Media
24 April 2009
Attendance of Media Representatives at Hearings in Family Proceedings
8 April 2009
Family Proceedings (Allocation to Judiciary) (Appeals) Directions 2009
11 February 2009
Family Proceedings (Allocation to Judiciary) Directions 2009 (PDF 55kb)
These Directions come into force on 16th February 2009.
15 January 2009
Practice Direction: Residence and Contact Orders - Domestic Violence and Harm (PDF 79kb)
Pre - 2009
Practice Directions: Enforcement of Children Act 1989 Contact Orders. These practice directions come into force on 8 December 2008.
- Disclosure of information to officers of the National Probation Service - practice direction from the Lord Chief Justice (PDF 29kb)
- Disclosure of information to officers of the National Probation Service - practice direction from the President of the Family Division (PDF 36kb)
- Applications in the Magistrates' Court to enforce contact orders: practice direction from the Lord Chief Justice (PDF 40kb)
Allocation and Transfer of Proceedings Order 2008. The Order and Practice Direction are scheduled to come into force on 25 November 2008.
- Practice Direction - Allocation and Transfer of Proceedings Order 2008
- Statutory Instrument 2008 No.2836 (L.18)
Lord Chief Justice guidance
Direction - Classes of cases specified under section 18(6) of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (PDF 41kb)
October 2008
Amendment No. 21 to the Consolidated Criminal Practice Direction (PDF 59kb)
(Criminal Proceedings: Witness Anonymity Orders; Forms)
August 2008
President of the Family Division guidance
Residence and Contact Orders: Domestic Violence and Harm (PDF 77kb)
May 2008
President of the Family Division guidance
Appointment of Guardians in accordance with Rule 9.5: President’s guidance dated 25th February 2005 – Revocation (PDF 40kb)
April 2008
Amendment no.19 to the Consolidated Criminal Practice Direction (PDF 47kb) [March 2008]
Forms of notice of intention to apply for certain behaviour orders if the defendant is convicted, and proposed application
Experts in family proceedings relating to children (PDF 149Kb)
February 2008
Practice Direction: Court Dress (No. 4) (PDF 76kb)
December 2007
Family Division - Video conferencing (PDF 61kb)
Published 2002