Family Proceedings Courts passes into history with the launch of the new Family Court
From 22 April, a single Family Court (FC), able to sit anywhere in England and Wales, will handle most family law matters, with designated family judges acting as gatekeepers to allocate cases as required.
District Judge Stephen Gold, says:“The FC will take the vast majority of public and family law business and unite circuit, district and district judges (magistrates’ courts) along with lay magistrates who can expect to be compensated for the large fall in their criminal work. It will operate out of designated family centres (DFC) at which the designated family judge (DFJ) for the area will preside and there may be one or more hearing centres attached to the DFC at which hearings can take place.
"The Family Division of the High Court will not be significantly affected and retains its inherent jurisdiction and international work which is reserved to it.
“Family Proceedings Courts are axed. District judges (magistrates’ courts) will in future sit alone for family cases rather than with two lay beaks and will no longer be required to give written reasons.”
Read DJ Gold's update in full: Civil way
