Children Act 1989

Section 92.

SCHEDULE 11 E+W Jurisdiction

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 11 applied (6.4.2007) by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), ss. 79(4), 109; S.I. 2007/1019, art. 4

C2 Sch. 11 applied by Childcare Act 2006 (c. 21), s. 98F(5) (as inserted (12.1.2010) by 2009 c. 22, ss. 199, 269(2)(b))

C3 Sch. 11 applied (W.) (1.4.2011) by Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 (nawm 1), ss. 43(4), 75; S.I. 2010/2582, art. 2, Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3, 4, 5) (as amended by S.I. 2011/577, art. 2)

Part I E+W General

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 Sch. 11 Pt. I applied (1.8.1991) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37, SIF 83:1), ss. 39(3), 43(2); S.I. 1991/1400, art. 2(2)

Sch. 11 Pt. I applied (1.1.1994) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37, SIF 83:1), s. 30(8)(a); S.I. 1994/1776, art. 2(1)

C5 Sch. 11 Pt. I applied by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37, SIF 83:1), ss. 30(8)(a), 39(3), 43(2)

Commencement of proceedings E+W

1 (1) The Lord Chancellor may [F1 , after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] by order specify proceedings under this Act or [F2 the Adoption and Children Act 2002] which may only be commenced in— E+W

(a) a specified level of court;

(b) a court which falls within a specified class of court; or

(c) a particular court determined in accordance with, or specified in, the order.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may [F1 , after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] by order specify circumstances in which specified proceedings under this Act or [F2 the Adoption and Children Act 2002] (which might otherwise be commenced elsewhere) may only be commenced in—

(a) a specified level of court;

(b) a court which falls within a specified class of court; or

(c) a particular court determined in accordance with, or specified in, the order.

[F3 (2A) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) shall also apply in relation to proceedings—

[F4 (a) under section 55A of the M1 Family Law Act 1986 (declarations of parentage); or]]

(b) which are to be dealt with in accordance with an order made under section 45 [F5 of the M2 Child Support Act 1991] (jurisdiction of courts in certain proceedings under that Act)

(3) The Lord Chancellor may [F1 , after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] by order make provision by virtue of which, where specified proceedings with respect to a child under—

(a) this Act;

(b) [F2 the Adoption and Children Act 2002];

(bb) section 20 (appeals) F6 . . . of the Child Support Act 1991; or

(c) the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction with respect to children,

have been commenced in or transferred to any court (whether or not by virtue of an order under this Schedule), any other specified family proceedings which may affect, or are otherwise connected with, the child may, in specified circumstances, only be commenced in that court.

(4) A class of court specified in an order under this Schedule may be described by reference to a description of proceedings and may include different levels of court.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 11 para. 1 inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15(1), Sch. 4 para. 210(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(r)

F2 Words in Sch. 11 para. 1 substituted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 139, 148, Sch. 3 para. 75 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)

F3 Sch. 11 para. 1(2A) inserted (17.6.1992) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 45(4) (with saving in s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/1431, art. 2, Sch.

F4 Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 1(2A)(a) substituted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 19, s. 83(5), Sch. 8 para. 10(2)(a) (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2001/774, art. 2(c)

F5 Words in Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 1(2A)(b) substituted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 19, s. 83(5), Sch. 8 para. 10(2)(b); S.I. 2001/774, art. 2(c)

F6 Words in Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 1(3)(bb) repealed (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 19, s. 85, Sch. 9 Pt. IX (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2001/774, art. 2(d)

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 1 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

Marginal Citations

M1 1986 c. 55.

M2 1991 c. 48

Transfer of proceedings E+W

2 (1) The Lord Chancellor may [F7 , after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] by order provide that in specified circumstances the whole, or any specified part of, specified proceedings to which this paragraph applies shall be transferred to— E+W

(a) a specified level of court;

(b) a court which falls within a specified class of court; or

(c) a particular court determined in accordance with, or specified in, the order.

(2) Any order under this paragraph may provide for the transfer to be made at any stage, or specified stage, of the proceedings and whether or not the proceedings, or any part of them, have already been transferred.

(3) The proceedings to which this paragraph applies are—

(a) any proceedings under this Act;

(b) any proceedings under [F8 the Adoption and Children Act 2002];

[F9 (ba) any proceedings under section 55A of the M3 Family Law Act 1986]

(bb) [F10 any proceedings under] section 20 (appeals) F11 . . . of the Child Support Act 1991;

(c) any other proceedings which—

(i) are family proceedings for the purposes of this Act, other than proceedings under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court; and

(ii) may affect, or are otherwise connected with, the child concerned.

(4) Proceedings to which this paragraph applies by virtue of sub-paragraph (3)(c) may only be transferred in accordance with the provisions of an order made under this paragraph for the purpose of consolidating them with proceedings under—

(a) this Act;

(b) [F8 the Adoption and Children Act 2002]; or

(c) the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction with respect to children.

(5) An order under this paragraph may make such provision as the Lord Chancellor thinks appropriate [F12 , after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] for excluding proceedings to which this paragraph applies from the operation of any enactment which would otherwise govern the transfer of those proceedings, or any part of them.

Textual Amendments

F7 Words in Sch. 11 para. 2(1) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4). s. 15(1), {Sch. 4 para. 210(3)(a)}; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(r)

F8 Words in Sch. 11 para. 2 substituted (30.12.2005) by 2002 c. 38, ss. 139, 148, Sch. 3 para. 75 (with Sch. 4 paras. 6-8); S.I. 2005/2213, art. 2(o)

F9 Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 2(3)(ba) inserted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 19, s. 83(5), Sch. 8 para. 10(3)(a) (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2001/774, art. 2(c)

F10 Words in Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 2(3)(bb) inserted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 19, s. 83(5), Sch. 8 para. 10(3)(b) (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2001/774, art. 2(c)

F11 Words in Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 2(3)(bb) repealed (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 19, s. 85, Sch. 9 Pt. IX (with s. 83(6)); S.I. 2001/774, art. 2(d)

F12 Words in Sch. 11 para. 2(5) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15(1), Sch. 4 para. 210(3)(b); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(r)

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 2 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

Marginal Citations

M3 1986 c. 55.

Hearings by single justice E+W

3 (1) In such circumstances as the Lord Chancellor may [F13 , after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] by order specify— E+W

(a) the jurisdiction of a magistrates’ court to make an emergency protection order;

(b) any specified question with respect to the transfer of specified proceedings to or from a magistrates’ court in accordance with the provisions of an order under paragraph 2,

may be exercised by a single justice.

(2) Any provision made under this paragraph shall be without prejudice to any other enactment or rule of law relating to the functions which may be performed by a single justice of the peace.

Textual Amendments

F13 Words in Sch. 11 para. 3(1) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15(1), Sch. 4 para. 210(4); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(r)

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 3 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

General E+W

4 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule— E+W

(a) the commencement of proceedings under this Act includes the making of any application under this Act in the course of proceedings (whether or not those proceedings are proceedings under this Act); and

(b) there are three levels of court, that is to say the High Court, any county court and any magistrates’ court.

(2) In this Schedule “specified” means specified by an order made under this Schedule.

(3) Any order under paragraph 1 may make provision as to the effect of commencing proceedings in contravention of any of the provisions of the order.

(4) An order under paragraph 2 may make provision as to the effect of a failure to comply with any of the provisions of the order.

(5) An order under this Schedule may—

(a) make such consequential, incidental or transitional provision as the Lord Chancellor considers expedient [F14 , after consulting the Lord Chief Justice,] , including provision amending any other enactment so far as it concerns the jurisdiction of any court or justice of the peace;

(b) make provision for treating proceedings which are—

(i) in part proceedings of a kind mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph 2(3); and

(ii) in part proceedings of a kind mentioned in paragraph (c) of paragraph 2(3),

as consisting entirely of proceedings of one or other of those kinds, for the purposes of the application of any order made under paragraph 2.

[F15 (6) The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005) to exercise his functions under this Part of this Schedule.]

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in Sch. 11 para. 4(5)(a) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15(1), Sch. 4 para. 210(5)(a); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(r)

F15 Sch. 11 para. 4(6) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), s. 15(1), Sch. 4 para. 210(5)(b); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 11(r)

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 11 Pt. I para. 4 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

Part II E+W Consequential Amendments

The Administration of Justice Act 1964 (c. 42) E+W

5 E+W In section 38 of the Administration of Justice Act 1964 (interpretation), the definition of “domestic court", which is spent, shall be omitted.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 5 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

The Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978 (c. 22) E+W

6 E+W In the Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1978—

(a) for the words “domestic proceedings", whereverever they occur in [F16 section] 88(1), there shall be substituted “family proceedings";

(b) for the words “domestic court panel", wherever they occur in section 16(5)(b), there shall be substituted “family panel".

Textual Amendments

F16 Word in Sch. 11 para. 6(a) substituted (1.10.1997) by 1996 c. 27, s. 66(1), Sch. 8 Pt. III para. 60(2)(with Sch. 9 paras. 8, 9, 10); S.I. 1997/1892, art. 3(1)(a)

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 6 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

The Justices of the Peace Act 1979 (c. 55) E+W

F17 7 E+W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F17 Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 7 repealed (19.6.1997) by 1997 c. 25, ss. 73(1)(3), 74(1), Sch. 4 Pt. II, para. 7(2)(f)(ii), Sch. 6, Pt.I

The Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43) E+W

8 E+W In the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980—

(a) in section 65(1) (meaning of family proceedings), the following paragraph shall be inserted after paragraph (m)—

“(n) the Children Act 1989”;

(b) in section 65(2)(a) for the words “and (m)" there shall be substituted “ (m) and (n) ”;

(c) for the words “domestic proceedings", wherever they occur in sections 65(1), (2) and (3), F18 . . ., 67(1), (2) and (7), 69(1), (2), (3) and (4), 70(2) and (3), 71(1) and (2), 72(1), 73, 74(1), 121(8) and 150(1), there shall be substituted “ family proceedings ”;

(d) F19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) F20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f) F21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g) F22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F18 Words in Sch. 11 para. 8(c) repealed (31.8.2000) by 1999 c. 22, s. 106, Sch. 15 Pt. V(3) (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2), 36(9)); S.I. 2000/1920, art. 3(c)

F19 Sch. 11 para. 8(d)-(g) repealed (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 109(3), Sch. 10; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(aa)

F20 Sch. 11 para. 8(d)-(g) repealed (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 109(3), Sch. 10; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(aa)

F21 Sch. 11 para. 8(d)-(g) repealed (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 109(3), Sch. 10; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(aa)

F22 Sch. 11 para. 8(d)-(g) repealed (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), s. 109(3), Sch. 10; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(aa)

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 8 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

The [F23 Senior Courts Act 1981] (c. 54) E+W

Textual Amendments

F23 Sch. 11 para. 9 cross-heading: for the words "Supreme Court Act 1981" wherever they occur there is substituted (1.10.2009) the words "Senior Courts Act 1981" by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

9 E+W In paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the [F24 Senior Courts Act 1981] (distribution of business to the Family Division of the High Court), the following sub-paragraph shall be added at the end—

“(e) proceedings under the Children Act 1989”.

Textual Amendments

F24 Sch. 11 para. 9: for the words "Supreme Court Act 1981" wherever they occur there is substituted (1.10.2009) the words "Senior Courts Act 1981" by virtue of Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 1(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 9 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)

The Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42) E+W

10 E+W In section 44 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (domestic proceedings in magistrates’ courts to include applications to alter maintenance agreements) for the words “domestic proceedings", wherever they occur, there shall be substituted “ family proceedings" ”.

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 10 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828 art. 3(2))

The Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45) E+W

11 (1) In section 281(5)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (discharge not to release bankrupt from bankruptcy debt arising under any order made in family proceedings or in domestic proceedings), the words “or in domestic proceedings” shall be omitted. E+W

(2) In section 281(8) of that Act (interpretation), for the definitions of “domestic proceedings" and “family proceedings" there shall be substituted—

• “family proceedings” means—

(a) family proceedings within the meaning of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and any proceedings which would be such proceedings but for section 65(1)(ii) of that Act (proceedings for variation of order for periodical payments); and

(b) family proceedings within the meaning of Part V of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 11 Pt. II para. 11 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)