PLEASE NOTE THIS PD COMES INTO FORCE 27 JANUARY 2025.

This Practice Direction supplements rule 14.14A FPR.

Scope

1.1 This Practice Direction applies where-

(a) a Reporter attends a court hearing in accordance with rule 27.11 FPR and Practice Direction 27B; and

(b) that hearing is in placement proceedings where the application for a placement order is made within proceedings for a care order, up to the point at which any placement order is made or the application for a placement order or otherwise is concluded.

1.2 This Practice Direction comes into force –

(a) on 27th January 2025 in all locations of the family court in which, immediately prior to that date, the pilot scheme referred to in the Reporting Pilot Guidance from the President of the Family Division dated August 2024 (and in predecessor Guidance) was operating; and

(b) in all locations of the family court not within sub-paragraph (a) above, and in the Family Division of the High Court, as follows-

(i) on 27th January 2025, except where the proceedings are heard by lay justices in the family court; and

(ii) on 29th September 2025 where the proceedings are heard by lay justices in the family court.

1.3 This Practice Direction applies from the relevant date specified in paragraph 1.2 to relevant proceedings falling within paragraph 1.1 whether started before, or on or after, that date.

Application of Practice Direction 12R

2. Paragraphs 2.1 to paragraph 7.13 of Practice Direction 12R apply in the proceedings to which this Practice Direction applies (see paragraph 1.1