Sir Andrew McFarlane, the President of the Family Division, issued a "road ahead" document for family courts and Covid-19 on 9th June.
At first glance, it is a pragmatic way forward with greater reliance on remote hearings, hybrid hearings and paid judges rather than magistrates. It is an attempt to expedite things so that hearings are pushed into the long grass and there are also some practical suggestions to keep things moving more smoothly.
Whilst the situation of total lockdown may be gradually relaxed, the need for stringent social distancing restrictions is likely to remain for many months to come. This document seeks to establish a broad framework for the Family Court by attempting to chart the road ahead over the next six months or more.
We note that after a brief dip, the number of applications to court has gone back to levels prior to Covid-19, which were then at a historic high. Not everyone will be able to attend court and some litigants may have difficulties being supported by lawyers and McKenzie friends whilst trying to social distance in court.
You can download the road ahead document by clicking here. Please share your experience with us at admin@fnf.org.uk so that we can use it as anonymous case study when talking with policy-makers.
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