Family lawyers to face protocol

A pre-action protocol for ancillary relief in family law cases is to launch ahead of a planned protocol to cover the whole of family law matters, it has emerged.The pre-application protocol comes into force on 5 June to coincide with the introduction of new procedures for ancillary relief.

Breach of the pre-application protocol may have costs implications.The Law Society, Solicitors Family Law Association, Legal Services Commission and Lord Chancellor's Department are currently developing a protocol for all family proceedings, of which the pre-application ancillary relief protocol forms part.David Hannah, a member of the Society's family law committee and partner in Warrington firm Steels, said the main protocol will set out basic requirements which all family lawyers will be expected to follow.

'The emphasis is on encouraging a constructive and conciliatory approach, the use of alternative dispute resolution methods, safety screening and effective and speedy resolution of disputes,' he said.

'The welfare of children will be prioritised and the protocol will seek to reduce the delays which have been causing so much concern in children cases.'

Neil Rose