Plans to create a network of new-style family court centres in London, bringing county and family proceedings courts together under one roof, have been published by the Courts Service.



The planned unified family court service will combine the different tiers of the family courts across the region into single or linked venues, and reduce the 32 existing courthouses to 15. It follows a pilot in Barnet and a study of workloads and travelling times to ensure the centres can be easily reached.



Under the proposals, Inner London Family Proceedings Court will continue to hear cases from inner London, and be linked with the Principal Registry for the more complex cases. Similar proposals will be adopted across the country.



Sheridan Greenland, Courts Service area director for London family, said: 'This is not about court closure - courts that will no longer list family cases will continue to be used for criminal or other civil cases.'



Christina Blacklaws, chairwoman of the Law Society's family law committee, welcomed the initiative.



Catherine Baksi