Mondays in the family court are to be reserved for urgent applications, deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) list hearings and five-day hearings only, from 9 April until 30 April 2025
The President of the Family Division, with the agreement of the Lady Chief Justice, approved the temporary, exceptional model for listing so that reforms can be implemented at the Clerk of the Rules Office, which organises the court. The reforms were recommended following a review of operations last year. The Clerk of the Rules Office provides administrative support including listing, court associates, ushers and general office staff.
The default position for the family court, therefore, will be that Family Division judges, including those listed to sit as deputy high court judges, will not be listed to sit in the Royal Courts of Justice on Mondays.
However, non-urgent hearings that have already been listed for a Monday will still go ahead.
