Explanatory note

These Rules amend the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (S.I. 2010/2955) (“FPR 2010”).

Rule 3 amends the FPR 2010 to put beyond doubt the fact that the High Court may direct that proceedings may be heard by a Divisional Court of the High Court.

Rules 4 to 10 amend the FPR 2010 to make provision in relation to the “fast-track” and “standard” procedures for resolution of certain applications for a financial remedy. Rule 4 amends the FPR 2010 to insert new defined terms. The amendments made by rule 5 specify to which cases the fast-track procedure applies. Rules 6 and 7 make consequential amendments to two Chapter headings in the FPR 2010. The amendments made by rules 8 and 10 make changes to the timescales for completion of procedural steps in the fast-track procedure. Rule 9 inserts a new rule into the FPR 2010 to make provision in relation to requests for a change of procedure. Rule 11 inserts a new rule in relation to conduct of the first hearing in a case to which the fast-track procedure applies.

Transitional provision is made in rule 12.

No impact assessment has been produced for this instrument because no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.