Concerns over restricting the length of child care proceedings to six months have not materialised, says senior family barrister Tim Parker, of 9 Gough Square. Fears of insufficient expert evidence and adherence to procedure trumping justice have not borne out since the new timescale was introduced in July 2013, and the Public Law Outline (PLO) has so far achieved its objective. Parker, who recently published a book on the PLO, said the new regime had introduced a “vigour” that did not exist 18 months ago, although judges and practitioners need to “stay vigilant”.
05 February 2015
New timetable for care proceedings a success?
MOVERS & SHAKERS
EIP—Stuart Malcolm
EIP strengthens Commercial practice with a new partner
Ellisons—Francesca Brown
Ellisons welcomes Francesca Brown to Family team
Shakespeare Martineau—Marie Bourke
Shakespeare Martineau strengthens Sheffield regulatory practice with new hires
NEWS
A wide-ranging Civil Way column highlights developments from insolvency procedure to employment law, but one case stands out for its lessons on bankruptcy, family homes and digital communications
A sprawling Intellectual Property Office battle between House of Fraser and Frasers Property has delivered a masterclass in modern trade mark law
Courts in England and Wales and Singapore are increasingly confronting complex disputes over international child relocation as families become more globally mobile
The government’s long-awaited family law reform consultation could mark a turning point for domestic abuse victims navigating financial remedy proceedings, but significant challenges remain
A new commercial court pilot giving the public access to documents used in hearings, including expert reports, is raising difficult questions about transparency and privacy
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
