These Rules make provision for the composition of the family court and for the distribution of business of the family court among judges of the court.

Part 2 makes provision for how the family court should be composed, including when hearing appeals.

Part 3 gives powers to the President of the Family Division and the Lord Chief Justice (or his or her nominee) to authorise judges of specified levels to conduct specified business in the family court.

Part 4 makes provision for the chairmanship of the family court when it is composed of lay justices.

Part 5 deals with the distribution of business in the family court, including the initial allocation of the proceedings listed in Schedule 1, of emergency applications, of applications for the assessment of costs and of appeals. Provision is made for the initial allocation of applications made in existing proceedings or in connection with proceedings that have concluded, including setting out in Schedule 2 various remedies which may not be granted by certain judges, or levels of judges, in the family court. Provision is also made for the initial allocation of other proceedings, by reference to the factors specified in rule 20(2).

Part 6 makes provision for the President of the Family Division to issue guidance on the application and interpretation of Part 5, after consulting the Lord Chancellor or, in certain circumstances, with the Lord Chancellor's agreement.

An impact assessment has been prepared for the group of instruments of which these Rules form a part, and can be found together with the Rules on www.legislation.gov.uk.