Independent Public Information & Accountability Hub
A practical public guide to child arrangements, Family Court forms, Cafcass, legal aid, mediation, domestic abuse protection, court fees, Family Procedure Rules, appeals, complaints, transparency, court bundles, reasonable adjustments, published judgments and public accountability.
This portal focuses mainly on the Family Court system in England and Wales.
Built by Right First Time UK Last checked: 25 August 2026This portal provides public information and signposting. It is not legal advice.
Family Court cases can affect children, safety, housing, finances, parental responsibility and family relationships.
Consider obtaining legal advice where possible, particularly where there is domestic abuse, safeguarding risk, care proceedings, international relocation, an urgent application, an appeal or an important court deadline.
Start With the Official Route
These are some of the most useful official starting points for people dealing with Family Court issues.
Important Family Court Updates in 2026
Family Court Information & Official Guidance
Use the sections below to find the official route relevant to your situation.
1. Child Arrangements
Child Arrangements Orders can determine where a child lives and who they spend time or otherwise have contact with.
2. Family Court Forms
Official forms for children, divorce, domestic abuse, financial proceedings and other Family Court applications.
3. Cafcass
Cafcass works with children and families and advises Family Courts about children's welfare and best interests.
4. Mediation & MIAM
Before many private Family Court applications, an applicant normally needs to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting unless an exemption applies.
5. Legal Aid & Help With Fees
Legal aid may be available for certain family matters, including some cases involving domestic abuse, child protection and mediation.
6. Domestic Abuse & Protection
Family Courts can make protective orders including Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders.
7. Family Procedure Rules
The Family Procedure Rules and Practice Directions govern how family proceedings are conducted.
8. Find Your Family Court
Find court addresses, telephone numbers, email details, opening times and available facilities.
9. Divorce & Separation
Official information about divorce, separation, finances and property when relationships end.
10. Litigants in Person
You are allowed to represent yourself in Family Court. You can still obtain legal advice even if a solicitor does not attend the hearing for you.
11. Published Family Court Judgments
Some Family Court and higher-court judgments are published and can be searched online.
12. Transparency & Reporting
Family Courts now operate wider open-reporting provisions, but strict restrictions remain to protect children and families.
13. Complaints
Different complaint routes apply depending on whether your concern is about HMCTS administration, judicial conduct or the legal decision itself.
14. Appeals & Urgent Applications
An appeal is not simply a second opportunity to argue the case. Legal grounds are required.
15. Key Family Laws
Important legislation frequently relevant to Family Court proceedings.
16. Support Organisations
Independent organisations providing practical information and assistance.
17. Child Focused Courts
In March 2026 the Government announced national expansion of the private-law reform model across England and Wales.
The approach is intended to involve children earlier, improve risk identification and reduce delays.
Rollout is phased, so local procedures may differ during implementation.
18. Evidence & Court Bundles
New Practice Direction 27A rules apply to Family Court bundles from March 2026.
The default position is generally for an electronic bundle, subject to court directions and practical accessibility needs.
19. Reasonable Adjustments & Communication Support
Disabled court users can ask HMCTS for reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to participation.
Examples can include:
- Breaks during hearings
- Accessible formats
- Hearing equipment
- Communication support
Intermediaries may also assist people whose communication needs affect their ability to participate.
20. Recordings, Privacy & Court Information
Family proceedings contain sensitive information and strict rules can apply to recordings, court documents and publication.
Do not make an unauthorised recording of a court hearing.
21. Care & Public Law Proceedings
Public-law proceedings are different from disputes between separated parents.
They include applications by local authorities for care and supervision orders.
In care proceedings, the child normally has a Cafcass Children's Guardian and their own solicitor.
New 2026 Court Bundle Rules - Important for Litigants in Person
Practice Direction 27A changed substantially in March 2026.
Subject to any specific directions made in your case:
- The default position is generally that a Family Court bundle should be electronic.
- An ordinary e-bundle should normally be no more than 350 pages unless the court permits otherwise.
- Bundles should contain documents that are actually relevant and necessary for the hearing.
- The person responsible for preparing the bundle should normally seek agreement about its contents in advance.
- The main bundle generally needs to be filed and served 5 working days before the hearing, subject to case-specific directions.
- Preliminary documents can have a later deadline under PD27A.
A judge can give different directions for your individual case, and those directions must be followed.
Complaint, Judicial Conduct Complaint or Appeal?
These routes are different and are often confused.
Court Administration or Service
HMCTS complaints can cover how court staff or the court administration handled the service.
HMCTS cannot use the complaint procedure to overturn a judge's decision.
HMCTS complaints procedureJudge or Magistrate Conduct
Judicial conduct complaints concern alleged misconduct such as inappropriate behaviour.
The conduct process cannot normally investigate disagreement with a judicial decision or ordinary case management.
Judicial Conduct Investigations OfficeChallenging a Decision
If the concern is that a court decision is legally wrong or that a serious procedural error occurred, an appeal may be the appropriate route.
Appeals have strict rules and time limits.
Family appeal guidanceDomestic Abuse & Child Arrangements
Where domestic abuse is alleged, admitted or otherwise relevant, Practice Direction 12J sets out important requirements for the Family Court.
The court must consider risk and whether arrangements can safely be made for the child.
Domestic abuse includes more than physical violence and can include coercive or controlling behaviour, economic abuse and emotional or psychological abuse.
Do Not Assume You Can Publish Family Court Information
Family Court transparency rules have changed significantly, but that does not mean parties are free to publish court documents, children's identities or details of proceedings online.
A Transparency Order can permit accredited journalists and authorised legal bloggers to report specified information subject to anonymity protections.
A Transparency Order does not automatically give a parent or another party permission to publish the case themselves.
If you are unsure what you can lawfully share, check the order in your case and obtain advice before posting online.
Read the official transparency guidanceDisability, Communication Needs & Reasonable Adjustments
HMCTS has duties to support disabled court users and can consider reasonable adjustments.
Examples may include:
- Additional breaks during a hearing
- Accessible court facilities
- Large-print or alternative-format information
- Hearing enhancement equipment
- British Sign Language support
- Communication support
Family Procedure Rules Part 3A also contains provisions concerning vulnerable people, participation and giving evidence.
Where communication difficulties affect participation, an intermediary may sometimes be considered.
Private Law and Public Law Are Different
Disputes Between Parents or Carers
Private-law proceedings commonly involve separated parents or carers who cannot agree arrangements for a child.
Examples include Child Arrangements Orders, Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders.
Cafcass private-law guidanceLocal Authority Care Proceedings
Public-law proceedings involve a local authority asking the Family Court to make orders to safeguard a child.
This can include care orders and supervision orders.
Cafcass public-law guidanceFamily Court Public Help Checklist
- Identify whether the case concerns children, finances, divorce, domestic abuse, care proceedings, enforcement or an appeal.
- Read the most recent court order carefully.
- Write down every deadline immediately.
- Check the correct GOV.UK guidance and official form.
- Check whether a MIAM is required.
- Check whether a MIAM exemption applies.
- Consider mediation or another non-court route where it is safe and appropriate.
- Check whether the £500 Family Mediation Voucher may apply.
- Check Legal Aid eligibility.
- Check Help with Fees before paying a court fee.
- Keep court orders, applications, statements and evidence organised.
- Create a short chronology of important dates.
- Keep allegations factual and identify the evidence supporting them.
- Read Cafcass guidance if children are involved.
- Read PD12B for private-law child arrangements cases.
- Read PD12J where domestic abuse or risk of harm is relevant.
- Read the new PD27A if you are responsible for a court bundle.
- Ask the court for reasonable adjustments if needed.
- Do not make an unauthorised recording of a court hearing.
- Do not publish Family Court information without checking the legal restrictions.
- Distinguish between an HMCTS complaint, judicial-conduct complaint and appeal.
- If appealing, check the deadline immediately.
- Use the official court finder for contact information.
- Seek urgent legal or safeguarding support where somebody may be at risk.