The guidance explains how a person who seeks protection must now apply to the court for an injunction by email or post, rather than in person.
HM Courts and Tribunals issued the guidance at the invitation of Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division.
Sir Andrew said the guidance was ‘timely’ as he was ‘concerned that there might be an enhanced need for the Family Court to provide protection from domestic abuse for children and adults during this period of family lockdown’.
Domestic abuse charities such as Women’s Aid have warned that COVID-19 will have a serious impact on abuse victims, who may be isolated with the perpetrator.
Sir Andrew said: ‘Despite the current difficult circumstances, the Family Court is continuing to hear and determine cases but, in line with public health guidelines to support COVID 19, almost all Family Court hearings are now being conducted remotely over the telephone or via video-link, without the physical attendance of any people at court.’
The guidance can be found here.
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