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Court rules

The rules relating to family law proceedings in the Family Proceedings Court, Family Care Centre and High Court can be accessed here.

The rules set out how applications should be made, the manner and form of how evidence can be submitted and presented to the court, the appointment of professionals and reports on a child’s welfare, the confidentiality of documents, the timing and nature of hearings and how Orders are made by a judge.

They are legal documents and are not written for the lay person. They can be complex. If you do not have a legal representative you may wish to familiarise yourself with the relevant sections.

Even within these rules, practices can vary from court to court. It is always best to check with the court itself for guidance on how the rules work in the court where you case is being heard. Email in the first instance - see NICTS contact details or Court office emails.