For The Urgent Attention Of All Family Law Practitioners

Updates From The Office Of The Lord Chief Justice

The Office of the Lord Chief Justice (OLCJ) has advised that certain family law cases listed for week commencing 15th June 2020 are to be administratively reviewed as set out below.

You should check these lists as a matter of urgency to see if you or a colleague in your office has a case which appears thereon and if so please make contact with a representative of the other parties involved in the litigation and action as required.

Given the difficulties presented by the current pandemic, it may be that one or more of the legal representatives is currently unavailable due to furlough or otherwise in which case you may wish to contact one of the principals in that office.

Colleagues are advised to REGULARLY monitor the Coronavirus section of the website of Judiciary NI - https://judiciaryni.uk/coronavirus-covid-19 and the Society's e-Newsletter - E-nformer.

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1.   CASES LISTED FOR LISBURN AND NEWTOWNARDS FAMILY PROCEEDINGS COURT

Guidance issued by the Office of the Lord Chief Justice on 12th and 22nd May set out plans to commence administrative reviews of Family Care Centre (FCC) and Family Proceedings Court (FPC) cases.

The judges will undertake administrative reviews of the cases in the attached lists for the above courts during week commencing 15th June 2020.  

Representatives should identify their cases from the attached lists and collaboratively complete and lodge Form FCI1 by email to the relevant court office by 5th June 2020.  The subject line of your email should state ‘FPC Review’.

Lists are attached in respect of those cases at Lisburn FPC (16 pages) and Newtownards FPC (43 pages).

Where no form is received from either party the case will be adjourned to a fixed date.  Where the judge determines a review hearing is required the parties will be notified of the arrangements. Any urgent or agreed applications will continue to be dealt with as per the Lord Chief Justice’s earlier guidance.

Any queries regarding the administrative reviews should be directed to the relevant court office.

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2.  CASES LISTED FOR THE FAMILY CARE CENTRE / FAMILY COUNTY COURT AT BELFAST, CRAIGAVON AND LONDONDERRY

Guidance issued by the Office of the Lord Chief Justice on 12th and 22nd May set out plans to commence administrative reviews of Family Care Centre(FCC) and Family Proceedings Court (FPC) cases.

The judges will undertake administrative reviews of the cases in the attached lists during week commencing 15th June 2020.  

Representatives should identify their cases from the attached lists, and collaboratively complete and lodge Form FCI1 by email to the relevant court office by 5th June 2020.  The subject line of your email should state ‘FCC Review’.

Lists are attached in respect of those cases at the Family Care Centres at Belfast (28 pages) and Craigavon (21 pages). 

In respect of cases at Londonderry there are three lists (i) Family Appeals to the County Court (ii) Family Homes & Domestic Violence Matters in the County Court and (iii) Family Care Centre cases.

Where no form is received from either party the case will be adjourned to a fixed date.  Where the judge determines a review hearing is required the parties will be notified of the arrangements. Any urgent or agreed applications will continue to be dealt with as per the Lord Chief Justice’s earlier guidance.

Any queries regarding the administrative reviews should be directed to the relevant court office.