Changes in the family courts
A new single family court has been introduced today, 22nd April 2014 and all new cases will be heard by the new family court. Only specially selected cases will be allocated to be heard by the High Court.
As of today, any court applications to be sent to the nearest family court point of entry, for us Milton Keynes, rather than the local county court. The ‘point of entry’ will allocate the case to the right level of judge to deal with it and the hope is that it will lead to a simpler system with all levels of judges sitting in the same building so cases can pass between them. The aim is to provide court users with effective access to justice and improve efficiency and allow magistrates, legal users and the judiciary to work more closely together. It also intends to put child welfare at the centre of the family justice system.
In private law cases, people will be obliged to consider attending mediation before issuing proceedings. This is to try to resolve more disputes outside the court system although some cases will be exempt from this requirement. Mediation should always be considered before taking court action and it is a service we offer and thoroughly recommend.
For more information on family matters or mediation, contact Jenny Russell on 01494 773377 or email hello@lennonssolicitors.co.uk.