The Family Proceedings Courts (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Rules 2009

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) Rules 1991 and the Family Proceedings Courts (Matrimonial Proceedings etc.) Rules 1991.

The amendments, with the exception of rule 7, are consequential on the coming into force of certain provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c.22) (the “2008 Act”). Rules 6 and 8(b) are consequential on sections 35 to 43 of the 2008 Act which set out when a man is the father or a woman (not being the mother) is a parent of a child in cases of assisted reproduction.

Rules 3 to 5 and 8(a), are consequential upon changes made to section 2 of and the insertion of section 4ZA into the Children Act 1989 (c.41) (“ the 1989 Act”) by the 2008 Act. The amended section 2 provides that a woman who is a parent by virtue of section 42 of the 2008 Act has parental responsibility for the child. It further provides for when a woman who is a parent by virtue of section 43 of the 2008 Act has or may acquire parental responsibility. Rules 3 to 5 and 8(a) ensure that the procedure in relation to applications under section 4ZA (acquisition of parental responsibility by second female parent) mirror that in relation to applications under section 4 (acquisition of parental responsibility by father). The opportunity is also taken to include references where applicable to section 4A (acquisition of parental responsibility by step-parent).

Rule 9 substitutes Form FL401 (application for a non-molestation order/an occupation order) in Schedule 1 to the Family Proceedings Courts (Matrimonial Proceedings etc.) Rules 1991. Section 4 of the notes to the form has been updated to reflect the amendments to section 2 of the 1989 Act in relation to parental responsibility.

Rule 7 substitutes various forms in Schedule 1 to the Family Proceedings Courts (Children Act 1989) Rules 1991 in the light of amendments made to those forms.

Form C13A (supplement for an application for a special guardianship order) is amended in consequence of the new section 14A(5)(e) of the 1989 Act inserted by section 38 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c.23). This permits a relative with whom the child has lived for at least one year immediately preceding the application to apply for a special guardianship order without the leave of the court.

Form C19 (warrant of assistance) is amended to remove the reference to section 33 of the Adoption Act 1976 (c.36) which is no longer needed. The opportunity is taken to insert references to the 1989 Act in section 3 of the form where appropriate.

Form C28 (warrant to assist a person to gain access to a child or entry to premises) is amended in consequence of section 79 (power of constable to assist in exercise of powers of entry) of the Childcare Act 2006 (c.21). The form now refers to section 79 and, in relation to the exercise of powers in England, to section 77 of the Childcare Act 2006. The form also makes provision for a warrant under section 102 of the 1989 Act and, in relation to the exercise of powers in Wales, under section 79U of that Act. References to section 76(2) of the 1989 Act and section 33 of the Adoption Act 1976 have been removed as they are no longer needed.