Family Proceedings Court

The Family Proceedings Court (FPC) is that part of the court service where hearings relating to family issues such as custody and residency are heard.

This court is much like an ordinary court in that the magistrate's ruling is final and can be appealed against should any party feel there is sufficient grounds.

The Family Proceedings Court is also where the Family Panel meet to discuss how to best hear cases relating to family matters.

What is The Family Panel?

Usually the Family Panel consists of three magistrates who have been elected by their magistrate colleagues to act as those responsible for the overseeing and making of decisions within the Family Proceedings Court (FPC). These magistrates are chosen because of their abilities and also their knowledge of such cases which gives them a better understanding of the nature of family law.

What does the Family Proceedings Court do?

The FPC is responsible for the hearing of cases relating to child welfare, child custody and also matters relating to visiting rights for parents who no longer live in the marital home. The idea is that the court operates in an environment which is non threatening and informal and hence forth decisions can be reached based on discussions which are had between likeminded individuals as opposed to witnesses giving evidence in the witness stand.

The Family Proceedings Court (FPC) will also rule on how best to proceed in matters of reclaiming maintenance and will rule on what is best for the children caught in the midst of any parental dispute.

Children and the Family Proceedings Court

In the United States the Family Proceedings Court is referred to as the Children's court as it deals with issues relating mostly to the welfare and care of children. In the United Kingdom the Family Proceedings Court will instigate investigations and assessments by their court welfare officers which are designed to provide insight into how the children are looked after, supported financially and in some cases, make a decision as to who is the parent most likely to provide the children with a stable home life.

Children are often called upon to give evidence at these courts but this is done in a way that does not intimidate. Depending on the circumstances of such a hearing the parent or parents will be asked to wait outside whilst the court welfare officer asks some questions and the children are asked to answer in their own words.

This method is used to determine how the children feel about the current situation and where they feel they would most like to stay. However although this information is taken into consideration it does not always have a bearing on the decision made by the magistrates.

Family Proceedings Courts are also where divorce hearings are heard and it is the magistrate in such a hearing who will determine the speed at which a divorce is issued. This also is reliant on information relating to the welfare of any children that may be involved.

In certain circumstances a parent may apply for an exclusion order; especially in those instances of domestic violence. If an exclusion order is granted this means that the individual who has been ruled against may not visit or be near the family home without prior permission from the authorities.

It is worth noting that Family Proceedings Courts do not deal with criminal offences although the magistrates who rule at these courts can also rule over criminal proceeding cases as well.