Part 7Procedure rules and practice directions

Family Procedure Rules and practice directions

77Family Procedure Rule Committee

1

The Family Procedure Rule Committee is to consist of—

a

the President of the Family Division, and

b

the persons currently appointed by the Lord Chancellor under subsection (2).

2

The Lord Chancellor must appoint—

a

two judges of the Supreme Court, at least one of whom must be a puisne judge attached to the Family Division,

b

one Circuit judge,

c

one district judge of the principal registry of the Family Division,

d

one district judge appointed under section 6 of the County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28),

e

one District Judge (Magistrates' Courts),

f

one lay justice,

g

one justices' clerk,

h

one person who has—

i

a Supreme Court qualification, and

ii

particular experience of family practice in the High Court,

i

one person who has—

i

a Supreme Court qualification, and

ii

particular experience of family practice in county courts,

j

one person who has—

i

a Supreme Court qualification, and

ii

particular experience of family practice in magistrates' courts,

k

one person who—

i

has been granted by an authorised body, under Part 2 of the 1990 Act, the right to conduct litigation in relation to all proceedings in the Supreme Court, and

ii

has particular experience of family practice in the High Court,

l

one person who—

i

has been so granted that right, and

ii

has particular experience of family practice in county courts,

m

one person who—

i

has been so granted that right, and

ii

has particular experience of family practice in magistrates' courts,

n

one person nominated by CAFCASS, and

o

one person with experience in and knowledge of the lay advice sector or the system of justice in relation to family proceedings.

3

Before appointing a person under subsection (2), the Lord Chancellor must consult the President of the Family Division.

4

Before appointing a person under subsection (2)(a), the Lord Chancellor must consult the Lord Chief Justice.

5

Before appointing a person under subsection (2)(h) to (m), the Lord Chancellor must consult any body which—

a

has members eligible for appointment under the provision in question, and

b

is an authorised body for the purposes of section 27 or 28 of the 1990 Act.

6

The Lord Chancellor may reimburse the members of the Family Procedure Rule Committee their travelling and out-of-pocket expenses.