29/04/2024
Today, 29th April 2024, there are two significant changes in family law.
1. The Pathfinder Court to deal with private children’s proceedings is being introduced into South-East Wales. This means that there will be a more investigative approach. When a Court application is issued, it will be sent to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) to gather information and prepare a Child Impact Report. Children’s welfare will remain paramount so their safety must be assured. Their voices will be important and included in the Child Impact Report.
At all stages, if there are no safety concerns, out-of-court resolution, such as mediation, will be encouraged.
2. The Family Procedure Rules, which need to be followed in Family Court proceedings, are being updated to include provision to strengthen non-court dispute resolution such as mediation, arbitration, assessment by a neutral third party (such as a private Financial Dispute Resolutions) and collaborative law. This will apply to children and financial proceedings.
To find out more about the Pathfinder Court or non-court dispute resolution, please contact Juliet Thomas in our Family Department on 029 20 190184.
