Rule 4.14 Welfare officer

Northern Ireland

(1)

Where the court has directed that a written report be made by a welfare officer, the report shall be filed at or by such time as the court directs or, in the absence of such a direction, at least 14 days before a relevant hearing; and the proper officer or chief clerk shall, as soon as practicable, serve a copy of the report on the parties and any guardian ad litem.

(2)

In paragraph (1), a hearing is relevant if the proper officer or chief clerk has given the welfare officer notice that his report is to be considered at it.

(3)

After the filing of a report by a welfare officer, the court may, direct that the welfare officer attend any hearing at which the report is to be considered; and

(a)

except where such a direction is given at a hearing attended by the welfare officer, the proper officer or chief clerk shall inform the welfare officer of the direction; and

(b)

at the hearing at which the report is considered any party may question the welfare officer about his report.

(4)

This rule is without prejudice to any power to give directions under rule 4.15.