‘Private law fact finding hearings: the new approach post-Re H-N’, Family Law published an article by Louise McCallum
Louise McCallum wrote an article for Family Law, in the forthcoming July 2022 edition.
The article considers the Family Court’s evolving approach to decisions as to whether to direct fact-finding hearings in private law cases, following the pivotal decision in Re H-N and subsequent High Court decisions, most recently in K v K [2022] EWCA Civ 468. The article also reflects on the likely impact of the most recent Guidance published by the President of the Family Division, ‘Fact-Finding hearings and domestic abuse in Private Law proceedings.’
The article considers the Court’s ongoing efforts to achieve the best balance between giving appropriate recognition to the impact of domestic abuse, whilst ensuring that fact finding hearings are directed only in cases where this is necessary and proportionate. The recent Guidance emphasises that the fundamentals to the decision as to whether to direct a fact-find hearing are “relevance, purpose and proportionality.” The article also considers the developing approach of the Family Court to case management where there are allegations of domestic abuse and coercive control and how such cases should now be best presented to the Court. It is anticipated that advocates can expect to see an increased and scrupulous focus upon whether a fact-finding hearing is indeed required on the facts of their particular case, accompanied by rigorous case management.
A link to the published article can be found here.
Author
Louise is a highly regarded barrister and a specialist family law practitioner, practising in public and private law children work. She is one of the leading juniors practising on the North Eastern Circuit in this field, being given the distinction of a Band 1 rating in the latest Chambers and Partners Guide.
