ABSTRACT
After completing this unit, you should be familiar with the following: • the provisions of the Children Act 1989 which apply to private law children’s cases; • the principles of professional conduct that apply in children’s cases; • the sources of funding for the initial interview, advice and follow up; • the principles and practice of negotiation in private law children’s cases; • the guidance contained in the SFLA Code of Practice; • the methods of funding available for applications to the court in private law children’s cases; • the procedures for making, filing and serving such applications to the court; • the procedural requirements associated with attending the first appointment and seeking directions in
private law children’s cases; • the practical aspects of file management and preparing for trial in those cases; • the procedural and practical requirements associated with instructing expert witnesses in private law
children’s cases; • the steps to be taken when instructing an advocate in those cases; • the factors to be taken into consideration when considering whether to appeal a decision of the court
in private law children’s cases; • the steps required to lodge an appeal in those cases; • the ways in which orders in private law children’s cases can be enforced, and the procedure involved
in applying to the court for enforcement; • the client care requirements after final hearing of private law children’s cases; • the steps required to obtain payment of costs; • the procedure for dealing with any complaints from clients; • the steps to be taken in order to close a file.
