Family Courts to be exempt from second lockdown
The work of the courts and tribunals will continue to be exempted from lockdown measures, according to HMCTS (Courts and Tribunals Service). This includes family courts.
The legal profession, the parties (clients), jurors, witnesses, judges, magistrates and court staff are all classified as ‘key workers.’ This means that all these court users and professionals are vital to the continued running of the courts and tribunals in this period of restrictions.
HMCTS also states that:
- The experience since March has left us much better prepared.
- HMCTS will continue to follow and implement public health advice to reduce risk. This will include wearing face coverings/masks.
To remind you, the various types of Family Court in England handle cases such as:
- Parental disputes over the upbringing of children
- Local authority intervention to protect children
- Decrees relating to divorce
- Financial support for children after divorce or relationship breakdown
- Some aspects of domestic violence
- Adoption
As we can see, it is essential that such work continues and we are proud to continue to offer family law and legal, arbitration and mediation services during this challenging time.
The full statement from the Lord Chief Justice and Senior President of Tribunals (HMCTS) can be accessed here.