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.
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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