- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (22/10/2014)
- Original (As enacted)
Point in time view as at 22/10/2014.
Children Act 1989, Section 32 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 15 August 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
(1)A court [F1in which an application for an order under this Part is proceeding ] shall (in the light of any [F2provision in rules of court that is of the kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b)) ]—
(a)draw up a timetable with a view to [F3disposing of the application—
(i)without delay, and
(ii)in any event within twenty-six weeks beginning with the day on which the application was issued; and]
(b)give such directions as it considers appropriate for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that that timetable is adhered to.
(2)Rules of court may—
(a)specify periods within which specified steps must be taken in relation to such proceedings; and
(b)make other provision with respect to such proceedings for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that they are disposed of without delay.
[F4(3)A court, when drawing up a timetable under subsection (1)(a), must in particular have regard to—
(a)the impact which the timetable would have on the welfare of the child to whom the application relates; and
(b)the impact which the timetable would have on the conduct of the proceedings.
(4)A court, when revising a timetable drawn up under subsection (1)(a) or when making any decision which may give rise to a need to revise such a timetable (which does not include a decision under subsection (5)), must in particular have regard to—
(a)the impact which any revision would have on the welfare of the child to whom the application relates; and
(b)the impact which any revision would have on the duration and conduct of the proceedings.
(5)A court in which an application under this Part is proceeding may extend the period that is for the time being allowed under subsection (1)(a)(ii) in the case of the application, but may do so only if the court considers that the extension is necessary to enable the court to resolve the proceedings justly.
(6)When deciding whether to grant an extension under subsection (5), a court must in particular have regard to—
(a)the impact which any ensuing timetable revision would have on the welfare of the child to whom the application relates, and
(b)the impact which any ensuing timetable revision would have on the duration and conduct of the proceedings;
and here “ensuing timetable revision” means any revision, of the timetable under subsection (1)(a) for the proceedings, which the court considers may ensue from the extension.
(7)When deciding whether to grant an extension under subsection (5), a court is to take account of the following guidance: extensions are not to be granted routinely and are to be seen as requiring specific justification.
(8)Each separate extension under subsection (5) is to end no more than eight weeks after the later of—
(a)the end of the period being extended; and
(b)the end of the day on which the extension is granted.
(9)The Lord Chancellor may by regulations amend subsection (1)(a)(ii), or the opening words of subsection (8), for the purpose of varying the period for the time being specified in that provision.
(10)Rules of court may provide that a court—
(a)when deciding whether to exercise the power under subsection (5), or
(b)when deciding how to exercise that power,
must, or may or may not, have regard to matters specified in the rules, or must take account of any guidance set out in the rules.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 32(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 14(7)(a), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(c) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
F2Words in s. 32(1) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 14(7)(b), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(c) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
F3Words in s. 32(1)(a) substituted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 14(2), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(c) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
F4S. 32(3)-(10) inserted (22.4.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 14(3), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 4(c) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2014/1042, arts. 3, 4, 6-10)
Commencement Information
I1S. 32 wholly in force at 14.10.1991 see s. 108(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: