The Family Procedure Rules 2010

Discussion between advocates

12.26.—(1) When setting a date for a Case Management Conference or an Issues Resolution Hearing the court will direct a discussion between the parties’ advocates to—

(a) discuss the provisions of a draft of the Case Management Order; and

(b) consider any other matter set out in Practice Direction 12A.

(2) Where there is a litigant in person the court will give directions about how that person may take part in the discussions between the parties’ advocates.

(3) The court will direct that following a discussion between advocates they must prepare or amend a draft of the Case Management Order for the court to consider.

(4) Where it is not possible for the advocates to agree the terms of a draft of the Case Management Order, the advocates should specify on a draft of the Case Management Order or on a separate document if more practicable—

(a) those provisions on which they agree; and

(b) those provisions on which they disagree.

(5) Unless the court directs otherwise—

(a) any discussion between advocates must take place no later than 2 days; and

(b) a draft of the Case Management Order must be filed with the court no later than 1 day,

before the Case Management Conference or the Issues Resolution Hearing whichever may be appropriate.

(6) For the purposes of this rule “advocate” includes a litigant in person.