14 August 2020
FCC ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW LISTS for week commencing 31st AUGUST 2020
For Belfast, Craigavon and Derry
Guidance issued by the Office of the Lord Chief Justice on 12th and 22nd May set out plans for administrative reviews of Family Care Centre (FCC) cases.
Separate, more detailed guidance, should be consulted for Family Proceedings (all tiers) and for Family Care Centre (FCC) Recovery - these are reviewed and updated regularly.
The family judge for each Family Care Centre has identified the cases which are to be reviewed, and require you to lodge the requisite form for each case by the return date given below. Forms must also be completed setting out the reasons where the parties seek an adjournment.
Attached are the FCC Lists for the following courts:-
- Belfast FCC for week commencing 31st August 2020
- Craigavon FCC for week commencing 31st August 2020
- Derry FCC for week commencing 31st August 2020
- Derry FHDV for week commencing 31st August 2020
Representatives should identify their cases from the attached lists, and collaboratively complete and lodge Form FCI1 (please click here) for each by email to the relevant court office by 21st August 2020. It is essential that the forms are completed as comprehensively as possible to narrow the issues to be determined by the judge. It would assist the office staff and the judges if electronic copies of any documents relied upon or referred to in the FCI1 form were attached to it on submission. Email addresses for court offices can be found in Annex A. The subject line of your email should state ‘FCC Review’.
During week commencing 31st August 2020, the judge will review the forms received, together with any relevant documents lodged, and determine whether each matter can be dealt with administratively or will require a hearing. Where the judge determines a review hearing is required the parties will be notified of the arrangements. Orders / Directions will be available via ICOS as normal.
Judges will continue to hear urgent matters, those where the parties have agreed a way forward, or those where the legal representative or a party to the proceedings has requested a review / hearing and the judge considers it appropriate, where the representatives have lodged forms clearly setting out the circumstances, as per the Lord Chief Justice’s earlier guidance.