
1 

(1) These Rules may be cited as the Family Court (Composition and Distribution of Business) (Amendment) Rules 2024.
(2) These Rules come into force on 8th April 2024.
(3) These Rules extend to England and Wales.
2 

(1) The Family Court (Composition and Distribution of Business) Rules 2014 are amended as follows.
(2) In rule 16 (allocation of emergency applications)—
(a) in paragraph (3)(a)—
(i) at the end of paragraph (xv), omit “or”;
(ii) at the end of paragraph (xvi), insert “or”; and
(iii) after paragraph (xvi), insert—“
(xvii) Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which are made without notice, except where the applicant is aged under 18;”; and
(b) in paragraph (5)—
(i) at the end of sub-paragraph (e), for the full stop substitute a semi-colon; and
(ii) after sub-paragraph (e), insert—“
(f) Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 which are made without notice and where the applicant is aged under 18.”.
(3) In Schedule 1 (allocation), in the first column (type of proceedings)—
(a) in paragraph 1(h) after “parentage)” insert “, except where the application is made by a birth parent in respect of a child under the age of 18 following the lawful adoption of that child”; and
(b) in paragraph 4—
(i) in sub-paragraph (g) for “Regulation.” substitute “Regulation;”; and
(ii) after sub-paragraph (g) insert—“
(h) the Family Law Act 1986, section 55A (declarations of parentage) where the application is made by a birth parent in respect of a child under the age of 18 following the lawful adoption of that child.”.
Sir Andrew Mcfarlane
President of the Family Division
22nd February 2024I agree
Bellamy
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Ministry of Justice
27th February 2024