Courts Act 2003

75 Family Procedure Rules E+W

(1) There are to be rules of court (to be called “Family Procedure Rules”) governing the practice and procedure to be followed in family proceedings in—

(a) the High Court,

(b) county courts, and

(c) magistrates' courts.

(2) Family Procedure Rules are to be made by a committee known as the Family Procedure Rule Committee.

(3) “Family proceedings”, in relation to a court, means proceedings in that court which are family proceedings as defined by either—

(a) section 65 of the 1980 Act, or

(b) section 32 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42).

(4) The power to make Family Procedure Rules includes power to make different provision for different areas, including different provision—

(a) for a specified court or description of courts, or

(b) for specified descriptions of proceedings or a specified jurisdiction.

(5) Any power to make F1 . . . Family Procedure Rules is to be exercised with a view to securing that—

(a) the family justice system is accessible, fair and efficient, and

(b) the rules are both simple and simply expressed.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 75(5) repealed (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15, 146, Sch. 4 para. 338, Sch. 18 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 paras. 11(aa), 30(b)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 75 partly in force; s. 75 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 110(1)(2); s. 75 in force for certain purposes at 7.10.2005 by S.I. 2005/2744, art. 2(2)(a) (with arts. 2(1), 3)

I2 S. 75 in force at 12.12.2010 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2010/2921, art. 2(a)