Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
Helping to keep children and young people safe in Derby and Derbyshire
Court Processes
What is the Family Law Court?
The Family Law Court is essentially specialist courts in which family matters are decided. This can include contact with and residence of children, child maintenance, taking children into care and adoption.
Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) represents children in family court cases. Their role is to ensure that children's voices are heard and decisions are taken in their best interests. They are independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities and all similar agencies.
The Family Law Court – your roles and responsibilities
Occasionally practitioners working with children and their families may be asked to attend and provide evidence to the Family Law Court. Your organisation should be able to offer you support and guidance to help you provide any required reports and to attend court.
To support staff to prepare and effectively present evidence in court, we have developed two short films Court Etiquette and Top 10 tips for court. For more information and to view the films see .
National Resources
Divorce, separation and legal issues on the GOV.UK website - information about child maintenance, disagreements about parentage and child custody issues
Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership includes:
