The rules relating to family law proceedings in the Family Proceedings Court, Family Care Centre and High Court can be accessed here.
The rules set out how applications should be made, the manner and form of how evidence can be submitted and presented to the court, the appointment of professionals and reports on a child’s welfare, the confidentiality of documents, the timing and nature of hearings and how Orders are made by a judge.
They are legal documents and are not written for the lay person. They can be complex. If you do not have a legal representative you may wish to familiarise yourself with the relevant sections.
Even within these rules, practices can vary from court to court. It is always best to check with the court itself for guidance on how the rules work in the court where you case is being heard. Email in the first instance - see NICTS contact details or Court office emails.
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Rules in the Family Proceedings Court
In the Family Proceedings Court, the procedural rules are set out online in the Magistrates' Courts (Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996.
In the Family Proceedings Court, litigants may also have to use the Magistrates' Courts Rules (Northern Ireland) 1984 to bring some types of proceedings.
Both sets of rules are available as a PDFs - see Department of Justice Court Rules.
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Rules in the Family Care Centre
In the Family Care Centre, the procedural rules are generally set out in Part IV of the Family Proceedings Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996.
In the Family Care Centre, litigants may also have to use the County Court Rules (Northern Ireland) 1981 to bring certain types of proceedings.
Both sets of rules are available as a PDFs - see Department of Justice Court Rules.
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Rules in the High Court of Justice and Her Majesty's Court of Appeal
In the High Court of Justice and Her Majesty’s Court of Appeal, litigants may also have to use the Rules of Court of Judicature (Northern Ireland) 1980.
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Practice Directions
Practice Directions are additional official guidance setting out specific aspects of the rules and procedure. They can all be found on the Judiciary of Northern Ireland - see Judicial decisions and directions.
Skeleton Argument Practice Direction called Practice Direction 6/2011 (Revised March 2021) Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland, Court of Appeal (Civil and Criminal Divisions) Chancery Division, Queen’s Bench Division, Family Division.
Court Bundle Practice Direction called Practice Direction 6/2011 (Revised March 2021) Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland, Court of Appeal (Civil and Criminal Divisions) Chancery Division, Queen’s Bench Division, Family Division.
McKenzie Friends Practice Direction called Practice Note 03/12 - McKenzie Friends (Civil and Family Courts).