Civil way: 18 November 2016

BIG SAVINGS ON FEES

You call it remission. HMC&TS in cuddly speak calls it help with court and tribunal fees. There’s now an option to apply for remission online and just published are a revised guide EX160A (surely they could rename it ticklyboo 160A) and simplified application form EX160 with it. Mercifully, bank statements and other documentary evidence formerly required need not accompany but may be called in.

SERIAL PROBLEM

There have been cases where the names and addresses of adoptive parents have been inadvertently revealed to the birth parents because serial numbers protecting the former’s identity have not been assigned by the court or assigned late. In some instances, the adoptive family have had to be relocated or the adoptive placement has broken down. The Family Procedure (Amendment No 3) Rules (SI 2016/1013) which came into force on 14 November 2016 are aimed at fixing the problem. Serial numbers will be automatically assigned in future rather than assigned on request, as at