Explanatory note

These Rules amend the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (“the FPR”).

Rule 2.3 of the FPR makes provision for interpretation. Rule 3 of these Rules amends the definition of “RSC” and “CPR” in rule 2.3(1), and adds a new rule 2.3(4), to make it clear that when the FPR apply certain rules of the Rules of the Supreme Court and County Court Rules, they are applying those rules as they appeared at a fixed point in time, and not subject to any amendment or revocation effected after that time.

Rules 4 and 5 make amendments in Part 12 of the FPR to reflect the fact that in relation to the Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement, and Co-Operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (referred to in the rules as “the 1996 Hague Convention”), there are separate Central Authorities for England and for Wales.