The Family Proceedings Rules 1991

Parties

4.7—(1) The respondents to proceedings to which this Part applies shall be those persons set out in the relevant entry in column (iv) of Appendix 3 to these rules.

(2) In proceedings to which this Part applies, a person may file a request in writing that he or another person–

(a) be joined as a party, or

(b) cease to be a party.

(3) On considering a request under paragraph (2) the court shall, subject to paragraph (4)–

(a) grant it without a hearing or representations, save that this shall be done only in the case of a request under paragraph (2)(a), whereupon the proper officer shall inform the parties and the person making the request of that decision, or

(b) order that a date be fixed for the consideration of the request, whereupon the proper officer shall give notice of the date so fixed, together with a copy of the request–

(i) in the case of a request under paragraph (2)(a), to the applicant, and

(ii) in the case of a request under paragraph (2)(b), to the parties, or

(c) invite the parties or any of them to make written representations, within a specified period, as to whether the request should be granted; and upon the expiry of the period the court shall act in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) or (b).

(4) Where a person with parental responsibility requests that he be joined under paragraph (2)(a), the court shall grant his request.

(5) In proceedings to which this Part applies the court may direct–

(a) that a person who would not otherwise be a respondent under these rules be joined as a party to the proceedings, or

(b) that a party to the proceedings cease to be a party.