ABSTRACT
Family courts are broadly divided into two areas: private and public family law. These areas are not mutually exclusive, as private family cases can often become public in nature, where, for example, a concern over a child’s living arrangements may reveal more serious concerns about that child’s day-to-day care. Family court judges are charged with handling cases arising from these areas of law, which typically result in a series of directions, or orders, requiring a person to do or not to do something. Private family law matters are brought by individuals, such as parents, spouses and next of kin, usually in connection with a divorce or parents’ separation. As part of an effort to reform the family justice system, the Single Family Court, or Family Court as it is sometimes called, was created under the Crime and Courts Act and, from 22 April 2014, all family cases fall within its ambit.
