{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/family-procedure-rules-2010/rule-16.3",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/family-procedure-rules-2010/rule-16.3.json",
  "legislation": "uksi/2010/2955",
  "legislation_title": "The Family Procedure Rules 2010",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/family-procedure-rules-2010",
  "path": "rule/16.3",
  "kind": "rule",
  "number": "16.3",
  "heading": "Appointment of a children's guardian in specified proceedings or proceedings to which Part 14 applies",
  "text": "(1) Unless it is satisfied that it is not necessary to do so to safeguard the interests of the child, the court must appoint a children's guardian for a child who is—\n(a) the subject of; and\n(b) a party to,\nproceedings—\n(i) which are specified proceedings; or\n(ii) to which Part 14 applies.\n(Rules 12.6 and 14.6 set out the point in the proceedings when the court will appoint a children's guardian in specified proceedings and proceedings to which Part 14 applies respectively.)\n(2) At any stage in the proceedings—\n(a) a party may apply, without notice to the other parties unless the court directs otherwise, for the appointment of a children's guardian; or\n(b) the court may of its own initiative appoint a children's guardian.\n(3) Where the court refuses an application under paragraph (2)(a) it will give reasons for the refusal and the court or a court officer will—\n(a) record the refusal and the reasons for it; and\n(b) as soon as practicable, notify the parties and either the Service or the Assembly of a decision not to appoint a children's guardian.\n(4) When appointing a children's guardian the court will consider the appointment of anyone who has previously acted as a children's guardian of the same child.\n(5) Where the court appoints a children's guardian in accordance with this rule, the provisions of Chapter 6 of this Part apply.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2955/rule/16.3",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T02:22:56.480940+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}