The Department for Courts commissioned research to investigate the reasons why the 42 day ‘rule’ in the Domestic Violence Act 1995 (DVA) and the 60 day ‘rule ‘ in the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989 (CYPFA) are not always met in the Family Court.
This research, based on interviews with key informants, explores the reasons why these time frames are not being met. The findings will inform decisions as to whether changes in Family Court procedure might lead to improved levels of compliance, or whether the time frames themselves are impracticable in some circumstances.