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Family Justice Review Final Report
This report, also known as the Norgove Report after its Chairman Sir David Norgrove, identified a number of concerns about family justice including the times that cases were taking to conclude, costs, and structure.
These are the procedural rules and practice directions that govern the family courts. They are regularly updated on this website.
Law Society, Family Law Protocol
This Protocol sets out best practice for dealing with all types of family cases.
Solicitors’ Regulation Authority Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct is part of the SRA Handbook, and must be followed by all solicitors practising in England and Wales.
This Code of Conduct must be followed by all barristers practising in England and Wales.
This is the Code that must be followed by all members of the Chartered Institution of Legal Executives.
Resolution is a national organisation of family lawyers. All members must follow their Code of Practice.
To accompany these statistics, the Ministry of Justice has also produced a User Guide to Legal Aid Statistics, England and Wales, which gives an overview of the legal aid system.
This paper outlines what the statutory charge is and how it works.
House of Commons Justice Select Committee ‘The Future of Legal Aid’ (2021)
The Justice Select Committee took a broad range of evidence and made a series of recommendations regarding the legal aid system in England and Wales, including how it affects family law.
This report outlines the unintended consequences of cuts to legal aid, including the creation of knock-on costs in other areas which are predicted to far exceed the government’s estimates.
Ministry of Justice ‘Legal Support: The Way Ahead’ (2019)
This is described as an ‘action plan’ created by the Ministry of Justice to support people experiencing legal problems, reflecting on the use of legal aid, and seeking to encourage the use of technology in the justice system.
Practice Guidance: McKenzie Friends (2010)
This outlines what McKenzie Friends can and cannot do in proceedings and provides a consultation on whether this should be amended.
This guide, produced by the Family Mediation Council and the Family Justice Council, is a brief guide to mediation, including how it works and confidentiality.
Cafcass produce a guide to mediation for families involved in private law disputes.