Children Rules 2005


 

R&O – 80/2005

Children Rules 2005

Arrangement

Rule

 


Made                                                                            25th July 2005

Coming into force                                      in accordance with Rule 34

THE SUPERIOR NUMBER OF THE ROYAL COURT, in pursuance of Article 67 of the Children (Jersey) Law 2002,[1] orders as follows –

PART 1

INTRODUCTORY

1        General definitions

(1)     In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires –

application” means an application made under or by virtue of the Children Law or under these Rules, and “applicant” shall be construed accordingly;

child”, in relation to proceedings –

(a)     means, subject to sub-paragraph (b), a person under the age of 18 with respect to whom the proceedings are brought; and

(b)     if the proceedings are under Schedule 1 to the Children Law, also includes a person who has reached the age of 18;

Children Law” means the Children (Jersey) Law 2002;

Court” is to be construed in accordance with Rule 3(3);

directions appointment” means a hearing for directions under Rule 13(2);

Greffier” means Judicial Greffier;

Inferior Number” means the Inferior Number of the Royal Court;

leave” includes permission and approval;

legal representative” means an advocate or solicitor acting for a party to any proceedings, and includes a person authorized by that advocate or solicitor in accordance with practice directions issued pursuant to Rule 31(2) for a specific purpose in the proceedings;

overriding objective” means the objective referred to in Rule 4(1);

person appointed under Article 75” means a person specified by the Court under sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (1), or a person appointed by the Court under sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (2), of Article 75;

private law proceedings” means proceedings on an application to which Rule 7 applies;

proceedings” is to be construed in accordance with Rule 2;

public law proceedings” means proceedings on an application to which Rule 6 applies;

relevant person” means the person to whom an exclusion requirement under Article 31 or Article 38, or to whom an application for such a requirement, relates;

welfare officer” means a person to whom reference is made in Article 9(1)(a) or (b) who has been requested to assist in the proceedings.

(2)     An Article referred to in these Rules means the Article so numbered in the Children Law.

2        “Proceedings”

References in these Rules to proceedings are references, unless a contrary intention appears, to proceedings –

(a)     on an application for an Article 10 order;

(b)     on an application for a care order or a supervision order;

(c)     on an application under –

(i)      Article 5(1)(a) (for parental responsibility by father),

(ii)      Article 5(2) (for parental responsibility by person claiming to be biological father),

(iii)     Article 5(4) (to bring to an end an order or agreement concerning parental responsibility),

(iv)     Article 7(1) (for appointment of a guardian),

(v)     Article 8(8) (to bring to an end an appointment of a guardian),

(vi)     Article 14(1) (for leave to change child’s name or remove child from jurisdiction),

(vii)    Article 16(6) (for Court to consider whether Article 10 order should be varied or discharged),

(viii)   Article 26(5) (for leave when care order in force to change name of child or remove child from Jersey),

(ix)     Article 27(2) (by Committee or child for order with respect to contact with child in care),

(x)     Article 27(3) (by parents etc. for order with respect to contact with child in care),

(xi)     Article 27(4) (by Committee for order to refuse contact with parents etc. of child in care),

(xii)    Article 27(9) (for variation or discharge of order with respect to contact with child in care),

(xiii)   Article 30(6)(b) (for variation of directions with respect to medical etc. assessment of child subject of interim order),

(xiv)   Article 33(1) (for discharge of care order),

(xv)    Article 33(2) (for variation or discharge of supervision order),

(xvi)   Article 33(3) (by person with whom child is living for variation of supervision order),

(xvii)  Article 33(4) (by person to whom exclusion requirement applies for variation or discharge of interim care order),

(xviii) Article 33(5) (for variation or discharge of interim care order insofar as it confers a power of arrest),

(xix)   Article 33(6) (for substitution for care order of supervision order),

(xx)    Article 36(1) (by Committee for child assessment order),

(xxi)   Article 37 (for emergency protection order or any direction relating thereto),

(xxii)  Article 40 (for extension, variation or discharge of emergency protection order),

(xxiii) Article 41(5)(a) (by officer of Committee for emergency protection order in respect of child in police protection),

(xxiv) Article 45(1) (for recovery order in respect of abducted child), or

(xxv)  Article 78(1) (for police warrant to assist in exercise of statutory powers);

(d)     under Schedule 1 to the Children Law (financial provision for children) except when financial relief is also sought by or on behalf of an adult;

(e)     on an application under paragraph 4(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Children Law (by Committee for approval of Court to child in care living outside Jersey);

(f)      on an application under paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 3 to the Children Law (by supervisor for extension of duration of supervision order);

(g)     on an application under paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 5 to the Children Law (by parent etc. for discharge of an existing order); or

(h)     under Article 22 (order for child to be kept in secure accommodation).

3        Jurisdiction and meaning of “Court”

(1)     There is reserved to the Inferior Number the hearing and determination of those applications to which Rule 6 applies that are not by virtue of the Children Law or these Rules within the jurisdiction of the Bailiff.

(2)     The Greffier may hear and determine those applications to which Rule 7 applies that are not by virtue of the Children Law or these Rules within the jurisdiction of the Bailiff.

(3)     References in these Rules to “the Court” in connection with the exercise of any power or the discharge of any function in any proceedings shall be construed as references to –

(a)     the Inferior Number;

(b)     the Bailiff; or

(c)     the Greffier,

whichever is appropriate in relation to the application in those proceedings.

(4)     Nothing in this Rule prevents when appropriate in any proceedings –

(a)     an order being made or directions being given that –

(i)      the proceedings, if being heard or due to be heard by the Greffier, be heard instead by the Bailiff or the Inferior Number, or

(ii)      the proceedings, if being heard or due to be heard by the Bailiff, be heard instead by the Inferior Number; or

(b)     the reference of any matter from the Inferior Number or the Bailiff to the Greffier for hearing and determination.

4        The overriding objective

(1)     The overriding objective of the Court in proceedings is to deal with cases justly.

(2)     Dealing with a case justly includes, so far as is practicable –

(a)     ensuring that –

(i)      the parties are on an equal footing,

(ii)      the case is dealt with expeditiously, fairly and with the minimum of delay,

(iii)     the welfare of the children involved is safeguarded, and

(iv)     distress to all parties is minimised; and

(b)     allotting to the case an appropriate share of the Court’s resources, while taking into account the need to allot resources to other cases;

(c)     dealing with the case in ways that are proportionate –

(i)      to the gravity and complexity of the issues, and

(ii)      to the nature and extent of any intervention proposed in the private and family life of the children and adults involved.

(3)     The Court must seek to give effect to the overriding objective when it –

(a)     exercises any power given to it by these Rules; or

(b)     interprets any Rules.

(4)     The parties are required to help the Court to further the overriding objective.

(5)     In private law proceedings, the Court must further the overriding objective by actively managing cases.

(6)     Active case management includes –

(a)     encouraging the parties to co-operate with each other in the conduct of the proceedings;

(b)     encouraging the parties to settle their disputes through mediation, where appropriate;

(c)     identifying the issues at an early date;

(d)     regulating the extent of disclosure of documents and expert evidence so that they are proportionate to the issues in question;

(e)     helping the parties to settle the whole or part of the case;

(f)      fixing timetables or otherwise controlling the progress of the case;

(g)     making use of technology; and

(h)     giving directions to ensure that the trial of a case proceeds quickly and efficiently.

PART 2

COMMENCING CHILD PROCEEDINGS

5        Application for leave to commence proceedings

(1)     If leave of the Court is required to bring the proceedings, the person seeking leave must file with the Court –

(a)     a written request for leave in Form C2 setting out the reasons for the application; and

(b)     a draft of the application (being the documents referred to in Rule 6(2) or Rule 7(2) as the case may be) for the making of which leave is sought together with sufficient copies for one to be served on each respondent.

(2)     A request for leave to commence proceedings may be heard and determined by the Greffier except a request made –

(a)     in existing public law proceedings; or

(b)     when the child is in the care of or is being looked after by the Committee,

which may be heard and determined by the Bailiff.

(3)     On considering the request, the Court must either –

(a)     grant the request and thereupon inform the person making the request of the decision; or

(b)     direct that a date be fixed in accordance with Rule 14 for the hearing of the request and thereupon inform the person making the request of that direction.

(4)     If leave is granted to bring the proceedings, the application must proceed in accordance with Rule 6 or Rule 7, as the case may be, except that paragraph (2) in each case shall not apply.

(5)     In the case of a request for leave to bring proceedings under Schedule 1 to the Children Law, the draft application under paragraph (1) must be accompanied by a statement in Form C4 together with sufficient copies for one to be served on each respondent.

6        Commencement of proceedings (public law)

(1)     This Rule applies to applications –

(a)     for a care order or supervision order;

(b)     under Article 26(5) (when a care order is in force for leave to change the name of the child or remove the child from Jersey);

(c)     under Article 27 for an order with respect to contact with a child in care;

(d)     under Article 30(6)(b) for the variation of directions concerning a child who is the subject of an interim order;

(e)     under Article 33 –

(i)      for the discharge of a care order,

(ii)      for the variation or discharge of a supervision order or of an interim care order, or

(iii)     for the substitution for a care order of a supervision order;

(f)      under Article 36(1) for a child assessment order;

(g)     under Article 37 for an emergency protection order or a direction relating thereto;

(h)     under Article 40 for the extension, variation or discharge of an emergency protection order;

(i)      under Article 41(5) for an emergency protection order in respect of a child in police protection;

(j)      under Article 45(1) for a recovery order in respect of an abducted child;

(k)     under Article 78(1) for a police warrant to assist in the exercise of statutory powers;

(l)      under paragraph 4(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Children Law for the approval of the Court to a child in care living outside Jersey;

(m)    under paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 3 to the Children Law for the extension of a supervision order;

(n)     under paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 5 to the Children Law for the discharge of an existing order; or

(o)     under Article 22 for an order for a child to be kept in secure accommodation,

made by the Committee or in proceedings to which the Committee is, or is to be, party.

(2)     Subject to Rule 8, an applicant must file with the Bailiff the application, consisting of –

(a)    

(i)      Form C1 or, where an order is sought in existing proceedings, Form C2, and

(ii)      such of the supplemental Forms C5 to C13 as may be appropriate; or

(b)     if there is no appropriate Form, a statement in writing of the order sought,

together with sufficient copies for one to be served on each respondent.

(3)     If the application is made in respect of more than one child, all the children must be included in one application.

(4)     Subject to paragraph (7), on receipt of the application, the Bailiff shall –

(a)     fix the date for a hearing or a directions appointment; and

(b)     endorse the date so fixed on the copies of the application filed by the applicant and return them forthwith to the applicant.

(5)     In fixing the date for a hearing or a directions appointment, the Bailiff must allow sufficient time for the applicant to comply with paragraph (6).

(6)     The applicant must serve a copy of the application on each respondent such number of days prior to the date fixed under paragraph (4)(a) as is specified for that application in column (ii) of Schedule 1.

(7)     The Bailiff may, if the Bailiff thinks fit, refer an application to which this Rule applies to the Greffier and, if the Bailiff does so, the application shall be treated as an application to which Rule 7 applies.

7        Commencement of proceedings (private law)

(1)     This Rule applies to applications other than applications to which Rule 6 applies.

(2)     Subject to Rule 8, an applicant must file with the Greffier the application, consisting of –

(a)    

(i)      Form C1 or, where an order is sought in existing proceedings, Form C2, and

(ii)      in the case of proceedings under Schedule 1, the supplemental Forms C3 and C4; or

(b)     if there is no appropriate Form, a statement in writing of the order sought,

together with sufficient copies to be served on each respondent.

(3)     If the application is made in respect of more than one child, all the children must be included in one application.

(4)     Subject to paragraph (7), upon the filing of the application the Greffier shall give the applicant a date for a preliminary directions hearing (in these Rules abbreviated to “PDH”).

(5)     The applicant must serve on each respondent a copy of the application with the date and place of the PDH endorsed on it giving not less than 2 clear days notice of the PDH.

(6)     The notice required by paragraph (5) may be given by sending it to the last known address of a respondent who does not have, or is not deemed to have, an address for service.

(7)     The Greffier may, if the Greffier thinks fit, refer an application to which this Rule applies to the Bailiff and, if the Greffier does so, the application shall, unless the Bailiff orders otherwise, be treated as an application to which Rules 6 applies.

8        Commencement of certain proceedings ex parte

(1)     An application for –

(a)     an Article 10 order;

(b)     an emergency protection order;

(c)     leave to remove a child from the jurisdiction;

(d)     a recovery order; or

(e)     a warrant under Article 78,

may be made ex parte in which case the applicant must file the application in the appropriate Form in Schedule 2 with the Bailiff.

(2)     In the case of an application for an Article 10 order or an emergency protection order, the applicant must serve a copy of the application on each respondent within 48 hours after the making of the order.

(3)     If the Court refuses to make an order on an ex parte application, it may direct that the application be made inter partes.

9        Withdrawal of application

(1)     An application may be withdrawn only with leave of the Court.

(2)     Subject to paragraph (3), a person seeking leave to withdraw an application must file and serve on the parties a written request for leave setting out the reasons for the request.

(3)     The request under paragraph (2) may be made orally to the Court if the parties and the welfare officer and any person appointed under Article 75 are present.

(4)     Upon receipt of a written request under paragraph (2) the Court must either –

(a)     grant the request and thereupon inform the parties and any person appointed under Article 75 of the decision; or

(b)     direct that a date be fixed in accordance with Rule 14 for the hearing of the request and thereupon inform the person making the request of that direction.

10      Parties

(1)     The respondents to proceedings shall be those persons set out in the relevant entry in column (iii) of Schedule 1.

(2)     The persons (apart from the respondents) to whom an applicant must give written notice of the proceedings, and of the time and place –

(a)     of the hearing or appointment fixed under Rule 6(4)(a); or

(b)     of the hearing fixed under Rule 7(3),

are the persons set out for the relevant class of proceedings in column (iv) of Schedule 1.

(3)     In any proceedings a person may file a request in Form C2 that he or she or another person –

(a)     be joined as a party; or

(b)     cease to be a party.

(4)     Subject to paragraph (5), the Court shall either –

(a)     grant the request and thereupon inform the parties and the person making the request of the decision; or

(b)     direct that a date be fixed in accordance with Rule 14 for the hearing of the request and thereupon inform the person making the request of that direction,

or, alternatively, the Court shall invite the parties or any of them to make written representations, within a specified period, as to whether the request should be granted; and upon the expiry of the period the Court shall act in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) or (b).

(5)     When a person with parental responsibility requests that he or she be joined under paragraph (3)(a), the Court must grant the request.

(6)     The Court in any proceedings may of its own motion direct –

(a)     that a person who would not otherwise be a respondent under these Rules be joined as a party to the proceedings; or

(b)     that a party to the proceedings cease to be a party.

11      Service

(1)     When service of a document is required under these Rules, it may be effected –

(a)     if the person to be served is not known by the person serving to be represented by an advocate or solicitor –

(i)      by personal service through the intermediary of the Viscount, or

(ii)      by ordinary service,

on that person; or

(b)     if the person to be served is known by the person serving to be so represented, by ordinary service on that person’s advocate or solicitor.

(2)     Ordinary service is effected in accordance with Rule 5/6(1) of the Royal Court Rules 2004.

(3)     When a child who is a party to proceedings is required by these Rules or other Rules of Court to serve a document, service must be effected in accordance with paragraph (1) on the child’s behalf by –

(a)     the advocate or solicitor acting for the child; or

(b)     any person appointed under Article 75,

or, if there is neither such an advocate or a solicitor nor a person appointed under Article 75, the Court shall give a direction under paragraph (6).

(4)     Service of any document on a child must, subject to any direction of the Court, be effected by service on –

(a)     the advocate or solicitor acting for the child; or

(b)     any person appointed under Article 75; or

(c)     if there is neither such an advocate or solicitor nor a person appointed under Article 75, with leave of the Court, the child.

(5)     If the Court refuses leave under paragraph (4)(c) it shall give a direction under paragraph (6).

(6)     In any proceedings, when a document is required to be served, the Court may, without prejudice to any power under these or other Rules of Court, direct that –

(a)     the requirement not apply;

(b)     the time specified by any Rules for complying with the requirement be abridged to such extent as may be specified in the direction; or

(c)     service be effected (whether in Jersey or not) in such manner as may be specified in the direction.

PART 3

PREPARING FOR THE HEARING

12      Welfare officer

(1)     If the Court has directed that a written report be made by a welfare officer, the report must be filed at or by such time as the Court directs or, in the absence of such a direction, at least 10 days before a relevant hearing; and the Court shall, as soon as practicable, serve a copy of the report on the parties and any person appointed under Article 75.

(2)     In paragraph (1), a hearing is relevant if the Court has given the welfare officer notice that the welfare officer’s report is to be considered at it.

(3)     After the filing of a report by a welfare officer, the Court may direct that the welfare officer attend any hearing at which the report is to be considered and, except when such a direction is given at a hearing attended by the welfare officer, the Court shall inform the welfare officer of the direction.

(4)     If the welfare officer has been directed to attend, any party may, at the hearing at which the report is considered, question the welfare officer about the report.

(5)     This Rule is without prejudice to any power to give directions under Rule 13, 15 or 16.

13      Directions

(1)     In this Rule “party” includes any person appointed under Article 75 and, if a request or a direction concerns a report under Article 9, the welfare officer.

(2)     The Court in any proceedings may, of its own motion or on the written request of any party in Form C2, give, vary or revoke directions for the conduct of the proceedings, including –

(a)     the timetable for the proceedings;

(b)     varying the time within which or by which an act is required, by these Rules or by other Rules or Court, to be done;

(c)     the attendance of the child;

(d)     the appointment of a person under Article 75;

(e)     the service of documents;

(f)      the submission of evidence, including experts’ reports;

(g)     the preparation of welfare reports under Article 9;

(h)     consolidation with other proceedings,

and the power of the Court under this paragraph includes a power to make interim orders and orders as to costs.

(3)     If the Court intends to give, vary or revoke directions under paragraph (2) of its own motion, it must give the parties notice of its intention to do so and an opportunity to attend and be heard or to make written representations.

(4)     A request under paragraph (2) must be served on the other parties.

(5)     However, a request under paragraph (2) may, with the leave of the Court, be made orally or without notice to the parties, or both.

(6)     On considering a request under paragraph (2) the Court must either –

(a)     grant the request and thereupon inform the parties of the decision; or

(b)     direct that a date be fixed in accordance with Rule 14 for the hearing of the request and thereupon inform the person making the request of that direction.

(7)     The powers of the Court under this Rule do not affect any other powers of the Court to give such directions as it thinks fit.

14      Fixing of hearing dates

(1)     In this Rule “applicant” means –

(a)     the person seeking leave –

(i)      to commence proceedings in accordance with Rule 5(1), or

(ii)      to withdraw an application in accordance with Rule 9(2); or

(b)     the person making a request –

(i)      that he or she or another person be joined as a party, or cease to be a party, to proceedings in accordance with Rule 10(3), or

(ii)      for directions in accordance with Rule 13(2),

as the case may be.

(2)     The applicant must, if the application or request is to be heard by the Bailiff or the Inferior Number, apply to the Bailiff in chambers for a date to be fixed for the hearing of the application or request.

(3)     If the application or request is to be heard by the Greffier, the applicant must request the Greffier for a date upon which the applicant may apply to the Greffier for a date to be fixed for the hearing of the application or request.

(4)     The applicant must, not later than 2 days before applying under paragraph (2) or, as the case may be, paragraph (3), for a date to be fixed, notify in writing the parties of the time when and place where the applicant will so apply.

(5)     If the applicant does not apply, within 10 days of the day on which he or she was notified of the direction of the Court under –

(a)     Rule 5(3)(b);

(b)     Rule 9(4)(b);

(c)     Rule 10(4)(b); or

(d)     Rule 13(6)(b),

as the case may be, for a date to be fixed for the hearing of the application or request, the application or request shall, unless the Court orders otherwise, be taken to have been withdrawn.

(6)     The reference to parties in paragraph (4) includes any person appointed under Article 75.

15      Preliminary directions hearing (“PDH”)

(1)     This Rule and Rule 16 apply only to private law proceedings.

(2)     Neither this Rule nor Rule 16 affects the power of the Court at any time under Rule 13 to give directions.

(3)     The legal representatives of the parties must attend the PDH or, if any party is unrepresented, that party must attend the PDH in person.

(4)     At the PDH, the Greffier may give directions and make orders –

(a)     as to the date of any subsequent proceedings (including the fixing of further appointments or hearings for any purpose);

(b)     as to the service of any pleading, Form, statement or document by or on any party to or person in the proceedings;

(c)     as to anything required to be stated in any pleading, Form, statement or document in the proceedings;

(d)     about –

(i)      the valuation of assets,

(ii)      obtaining and exchanging expert evidence, and

(iii)     evidence to be adduced by each party and, if appropriate, about further chronologies or schedules to be filed by each party;

(e)     as to statements or declarations (including, if need be, affidavits) to be filed;

(f)      as to being at liberty to make an application to the Court in the proceedings;

(g)     as to the forum for any subsequent proceedings;

(h)     as to the attendance of a welfare officer at any subsequent stage of the proceedings;

(i)      that the proceedings be adjourned for alternative dispute resolution, to include mediation; or

(j)      in relation to costs,

and the Greffier shall give such directions and make such orders as he or she thinks appropriate in relation to the case review hearing under Rule 16.

16      Case review hearing

(1)     The case review hearing shall be conducted with the objective of defining the issues and encouraging the parties to address contentious issues in a way that is consistent with –

(a)     the welfare; and

(b)     the long term interests,

of the child.

(2)     At the hearing the Greffier –

(a)     shall determine the extent to which any questions seeking further information must be answered, and give directions for the production of such further documents as may be necessary;

(b)     shall give directions, if not already given at the PDH, about –

(i)      obtaining and exchanging expert evidence, if required, and

(ii)      evidence to be adduced by each party and, if appropriate, about further chronologies or schedules to be filed by each party; and

(c)     may direct any one or more of the following –

(i)      that a further case review hearing be fixed,

(ii)      that the case be fixed for final hearing and, if that direction is given, the Greffier must determine whether or not the case is to be heard by the Inferior Number, or

(iii)     that the case be adjourned for alternative dispute resolution, to include mediation, or for private negotiation or, in exceptional circumstances, generally.

(3)     The parties must attend the case review hearing in person unless the Greffier orders otherwise.

17      Attendance at hearings

(1)     Subject to paragraph (2), a party must attend a directions appointment of which he or she has been given notice, and any hearing, unless the Court otherwise directs.

(2)     Proceedings or any part of them shall take place in the absence of any party, including the child, if –

(a)     the Court considers it in the interests of the child, having regard to the matters to be discussed or the evidence likely to be given; and

(b)     the party is represented by an advocate or a solicitor or by a person appointed under Article 75,

and, when considering the interests of the child under sub-paragraph (a), the Court shall give the person representing the child and, if he or she is of sufficient understanding, the child an opportunity to make representations.

(3)     Subject to paragraph (4), if at the time and place appointed for a hearing or directions appointment the applicant appears but one or more of the respondents do not, the Court may proceed with the hearing or appointment.

(4)     The Court shall not begin to hear an application in the absence of a respondent unless –

(a)     it is proved to the satisfaction of the Court that the respondent received reasonable notice of the date of the hearing; or

(b)     the Court is satisfied that the circumstances of the case justify proceeding with the hearing.

(5)     If, at the time and place appointed for a hearing or directions appointment, one or more of the respondents appear but the applicant does not, the Court may refuse the application or, if sufficient evidence has previously been received, proceed in the absence of the applicant.

(6)     If, at the time and place appointed for a hearing or directions appointment, neither the applicant nor any respondent appears, the Court may refuse the application.

(7)     Unless the Court otherwise directs –

(a)     a directions appointment shall be in chambers before –

(i)      the Bailiff in public law proceedings, or

(ii)      the Greffier in private law proceedings; and

(b)     a hearing of any proceedings shall be in private.

PART 4

EVIDENCE

18      Documentary evidence

(1)     Subject to any directions which may have been given pursuant to Rule 13, 15 or 16 and to paragraphs (4) and (5), a party must in any proceedings file and serve on the parties, any welfare officer and any person appointed under Article 75 –

(a)     written statements of the substance of the oral evidence which the party intends to adduce at a hearing of, or a directions appointment in, those proceedings, which must –

(i)      be dated,

(ii)      be signed by the person making the statement, and

(iii)     contain a declaration that the maker of the statement believes it to be true and understands that it may be placed before the Court; and

(b)     copies of any documents, including experts’ reports, upon which the party intends to rely at the hearing,

at or by such time as the Court directs or, in the absence of a direction, before the hearing or appointment.

(2)     A party may, subject to any direction of the Court about the timing of statements under this Rule, file and serve on the parties a statement which is supplementary to a statement served under paragraph (1).

(3)     At a hearing or a directions appointment a party may not, without the leave of the Court –

(a)     adduce evidence; or

(b)     seek to rely on a document,

in respect of which that party has failed to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1).

(4)     In proceedings for an Article 10 order a party shall –

(a)     neither file nor serve any document other than as required or authorized by these Rules; and

(b)     in completing a Form prescribed by these Rules, neither give information, nor make a statement, which is not required or authorized by that Form,

without the leave of the Court.

(5)     In proceedings for an Article 10 order no statement or copy may be filed under paragraph (1) until such time as the Court directs.

19      Amendment of documents

(1)     Subject to Rule 18(2), a document which has been filed or served in any proceedings may not be amended without the leave of the Court which shall, unless the Court otherwise directs, be requested in writing.

(2)     On considering a request for leave to amend a document the Court shall either –

(a)     grant the request, whereupon the Court shall inform the person making the request of that decision; or

(b)     invite the parties or any of them to make representations, within a specified period, as to whether such an order should be made.

(3)     A person amending a document must file it and serve it on those persons on whom it was served prior to amendment; and the amendments must be identified.

20      Expert evidence – examination of child

(1)     No person may, without the leave of the Court, cause the child to be medically or psychiatrically examined, or otherwise assessed, for the purpose of the preparation of expert evidence for use in the proceedings.

(2)     An application for leave under paragraph (1) must, unless the Court otherwise directs, be served on all parties to the proceedings and on any person appointed under Article 75.

(3)     If the leave of the Court has not been given under paragraph (1), no evidence arising out of an examination or assessment to which that paragraph applies may be adduced without the leave of the Court.

21      Secure accommodation – evidence

In proceedings under Article 22, the Court shall, if practical, arrange for copies of all written reports before it to be made available before the hearing to –

(a)     the applicant;

(b)     the parent or guardian of the child;

(c)     any person appointed under Article 75 or otherwise any person by whom the child is legally represented; and

(d)     the child, unless the Court otherwise directs,

and copies of such reports may, if the Court considers it desirable, be shown to any person who is entitled to notice of the proceedings in accordance with these Rules.

PART 5

HEARING AND DETERMINATION

22      Hearings and making of orders

(1)     The Court may give directions as to the order of speeches and evidence at a hearing, or directions appointment, in the course of proceedings.

(2)     Subject to directions under paragraph (1), at a hearing of, or directions appointment in, proceedings, the parties and any person appointed under Article 75 shall adduce their evidence in the following order –

(a)     the applicant;

(b)     any party with parental responsibility for the child;

(c)     other respondents;

(d)     any person appointed under Article 75;

(e)     the child, if he is a party to the proceedings and there is no person appointed under Article 75.

(3)     When or as soon as practicable after making an order or refusing an application, the Court shall state any findings of fact and the reasons for the Court’s decision.

(4)     Subject to paragraph (5), a copy of an order made by the Court shall, as soon as practicable after it has been made, be served by the Court on the parties to the proceedings in which it was made and on any person with whom the child is living.

(5)     Within 48 hours after the making ex parte of –

(a)     an Article 10 order;

(b)     an emergency protection order under Article 37;

(c)     an order under Article 43(4) authorizing a search for another child;

(d)     a recovery order under Article 45; or

(e)     an order under which a warrant is issued pursuant to Article 78(1),

the applicant shall serve a copy of the order on –

(i)      each party,

(ii)      any person who has actual care of the child or who had such care immediately prior to the making of the order, and

(iii)     in the case of an order referred to in any of sub-paragraphs (b) to (e), the Committee.

PART 6

APPEALS

23      Appeals from the Greffier

(1)     An appeal to the Inferior Number under Article 68(1)(a) from any decision of the Greffier must be made in accordance with this Rule.

(2)     The appellant must file and serve on the parties to the proceedings before the Greffier and any person appointed under Article 75 –

(a)     notice of the appeal in writing, setting out the grounds upon which the appellant relies;

(b)     a copy of the summons or application and of the order appealed against, and of any order staying its execution;

(c)     a copy of any transcript of evidence given at the hearing before the Greffier;

(d)     a copy of the reasons given for the decision.

(3)     The notice of appeal under paragraph (2)(a) must be filed and served –

(a)     within 10 days of the giving of reasons by the Greffier for the decision against which the appeal is brought; or

(b)     with the leave of the Bailiff, within such other time as the Bailiff may direct.

(4)     The documents mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) to (d) must, subject to any direction of the Bailiff, be filed and served as soon as practicable after the filing and service of the notice of appeal under paragraph (2)(a).

(5)     A respondent who wishes –

(a)     to contend on the appeal that the decision of the Greffier should be varied, either in any event or in the event of the appeal being allowed in whole or in part; or

(b)     to contend that the decision of the Greffier should be affirmed on grounds other than those relied upon by the Greffier; or

(c)     to contend by way of cross-appeal that the decision of the Greffier was wrong in whole or in part,

must, within 10 days of receipt of notice of the appeal, file and serve on all other parties to the appeal a notice in writing, setting out the grounds upon which that respondent relies (hereinafter referred to as a “respondent’s notice”).

(6)     An application to –

(a)     withdraw an appeal;

(b)     have the appeal dismissed with the consent of all the parties; or

(c)     amend the grounds of appeal,

may be heard by the Bailiff in chambers.

(7)     The date for a hearing of the appeal shall be fixed by application made to the Bailiff in chambers.

(8)     Rule 14(4) shall apply to an application under paragraph (7).

(9)     If an application is not made within 10 days of the last day on which a respondent’s notice was able to be filed, for a date to be fixed for the hearing of the appeal, the appeal shall be deemed to have been abandoned.

24      Appeals to the Court of Appeal

(1)     Where an appeal lies to the Court of Appeal under Article 68(1)(b) it must be made in accordance with this Rule.

(2)     The appellant must file and serve on the parties to the proceedings before the Court and any person appointed under Article 75 –

(a)     notice of the appeal in writing, setting out the grounds upon which the appellant relies;

(b)     a copy of the summons or application and of the order appealed against, and of any order staying its execution;

(c)     a copy of any transcript of evidence given at the hearing before the Court;

(d)     a copy of any reasons given for the decision.

(3)     The notice of appeal under paragraph (2)(a) must be filed and served –

(a)     within 10 days of the giving of reasons by the Court for the decision against which the appeal is brought; or

(b)     in the case of an appeal against an interim care order or an interim supervision order under Article 30(1), within 7 days of the making of the order; or

(c)     with the leave of a single judge of the Court of Appeal, within such other time as that judge may direct.

(4)     The documents mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) to (d) must, subject to any direction of the Court of Appeal, or of a single judge thereof, be filed and served as soon as practicable after the filing and service of the notice of appeal under paragraph (2)(a).

(5)     Subject to paragraph (6), a respondent who wishes –

(a)     to contend on the appeal that the decision of the Royal Court should be varied, either in any event or in the event of the appeal being allowed in whole or in part; or

(b)     to contend that the decision of the Royal Court should be affirmed on grounds other than those relied upon by that court; or

(c)     to contend by way of cross-appeal that the decision of the Royal Court was wrong in whole or in part,

must, within 10 days of receipt of notice of the appeal, file and serve on all other parties to the appeal a notice in writing, setting out the grounds upon which the respondent relies (hereinafter referred to as a “respondent’s notice”).

(6)     A respondent’s notice may not be filed or served in an appeal against an order under Article 30.

(7)     When –

(a)     the period of 10 days referred to in paragraph (5) has elapsed; or

(b)     a respondent’s notice has been filed and served,

a date shall be fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

(8)     When a day is fixed for the hearing of the appeal, the Greffier shall, with the least possible delay, give notice thereof to the appellant or his advocate or solicitor.

(9)     The appellant, or the appellant’s advocate or solicitor if the appellant is not acting in person, must give not less than 10 clear days notice of the day so fixed to the parties to the proceedings before the Court and any person appointed under Article 75.

(10)    An application to –

(a)     withdraw the appeal;

(b)     have the appeal dismissed with the consent of all the parties; or

(c)     amend the grounds of appeal,

may be heard by a single judge of the Court of Appeal.

PART 7

MISCELLANEOUS

25      Confidentiality of documents

(1)     No document, other than a record of an order, held by the Court and relating to proceedings may be disclosed, other than to –

(a)     a party;

(b)     the legal representative of a party;

(c)     a person appointed under Article 75;

(d)     a welfare officer; or

(e)     an expert whose instruction by a party has been authorized by the Court,

without leave of the Court.

(2)     Nothing in this Rule shall prevent the notification by the Court of a direction under Article 29(1) to the Committee.

(3)     Nothing in this Rule shall prevent the disclosure of any document relating to proceedings by a welfare officer to any other welfare officer unless that other welfare officer is involved in the same proceedings but on behalf of a different party.

26      Notification of consent

(1)     Consent for the purposes of –

(a)     Article 16(3); or

(b)     Article 31(2)(b)(ii) or 38(2)(b)(ii); or

(c)     paragraph 4(2)(c) or (d) of Schedule 2 to the Children Law,

must be given either –

(i)      orally in court, or

(ii)      in writing to the Court signed by the person giving the consent.

(2)     Any written consent given for the purposes of Article 31(2) or Article 38(2), must include a statement that the person giving consent –

(a)     is able and willing to give to the child the care which it would be reasonable to expect a parent to give; and

(b)     understands that the giving of consent could lead to the exclusion of the relevant person from the dwelling-house in which the child lives.

27      Exclusion requirements: interim care orders and emergency protection orders

(1)     This Rule applies when the Court includes an exclusion requirement in an interim care order pursuant to Article 31(1) or in an emergency protection order pursuant to Article 38(1).

(2)     The applicant for an interim care order or emergency protection order must prepare a separate statement of the evidence in support of the application for an exclusion requirement.

(3)     The statement must be served personally by the Viscount or a police officer on the relevant person with a copy of the order containing the exclusion requirement (and of any power of arrest which is attached to it) and the relevant person must be informed of his or her right to apply to vary or discharge the exclusion requirement.

(4)     When a power of arrest is attached to an exclusion requirement in an interim care order or an emergency protection order, a copy of the order must be delivered to a police officer together with a statement showing that the relevant person has been served with the order or informed of its terms.

(5)     The relevant person must serve the parties to the proceedings with any application which he or she makes for the variation or discharge of the exclusion requirement.

(6)     When an exclusion requirement ceases to have effect whether –

(a)     as a result of the removal of a child under Article 31(8) or 38(8);

(b)     because of the discharge of the interim care order or emergency protection order; or

(c)     otherwise,

the applicant must inform –

(i)      the relevant person,

(ii)      the parties to the proceedings,

(iii)     the Viscount, and

(iv)     (where necessary) the Court.

(7)     If the Court includes an exclusion requirement in an interim care order or an emergency protection order of the Court’s own motion, paragraphs (2) and (3) shall not apply except that the relevant person must still be informed of his or her right to apply to vary or discharge the exclusion requirement.

28      Investigation under Article 29

(1)     This Rule applies when a direction is given to the Committee by the Court under Article 29(1).

(2)     On giving a direction the Court must adjourn the proceedings.

(3)     A copy of the direction shall, as soon as practicable after it is given, be served by the Greffier on the parties to the proceedings in which the direction is given and, if the Committee is not a party, on the Committee.

(4)     When serving the copy of the direction on the Committee the Greffier shall also serve copies of such of the documentary evidence which has been, or is to be, adduced in the proceedings as the Court may direct.

(5)     When the Committee informs the Court of any of the matters set out in Article 29(3)(a) to (c) the Committee must do so in writing.

29      Cost of transcripts on appeal

(1)     The preparation of any transcript for the purpose of Rule 23(2)(c) or Rule 24(2)(c) shall be at the cost of the appellant unless the Court or the Court of Appeal (as the case may be) otherwise orders.

(2)     An order of the Court of Appeal for the purposes of paragraph (1) may be by a single judge of the Court of Appeal.

30      Periods of time

For the avoidance of doubt, Rules 1/3 and 1/4 of the Royal Court Rules 2004[2] apply to any period of time fixed, or time prescribed, by these Rules.

31      Directions

(1)     The Bailiff may issue directions in exercise of the inherent jurisdiction of the Court to regulate its own process.

(2)     The Greffier may, with the concurrence of the Bailiff, issue directions for the purpose of securing due observance of statutory requirements and uniformity of practice in private law proceedings.

32      Transitional provision

Nothing in these Rules affects any proceedings pending (within the meaning of paragraph 1 of Schedule 5 to the Children Law) immediately before these Rules come into force.

33      Amendments consequential upon move to Ministerial government

Schedule 3 shall have effect for the purpose of amending these Rules in the event of the commencement of Article 42(3) of the States of Jersey Law 2005.[3]

34      Citation and commencement

(1)     These Rules may be cited as the Children Rules 2005.

(2)     These Rules, apart from Schedule 3, shall come into force on 1st August 2005.

(3)     Schedule 3 shall come into force on the same day that Article 42(3) of the States of Jersey Law 2005 comes into force.

V.J. OBBARD

Registrar, Family Division.

 


SCHEDULE 1

(Rules 6(6) and 10(1) and (2))

notices and respondents

(i)

All proceedings

Provision under which proceedings brought

(ii)

Public law proceedings only

Minimum number of days for service (Rule 6(6))

(iii)

All proceedings

Respondents (Rule 10(1))

(iv)

All proceedings

Persons to whom notice is to be given (Rule 10(2))

All applications

See separate entries below.

Subject to separate entries below –

every person whom the applicant believes to have parental responsibility for the child;

where the child is the subject of a care order, every person whom the applicant believes to have had parental responsibility immediately prior to the making of the care order;

in the case of an application to extend, vary or discharge an order, the parties to the proceedings leading to the order which it is sought to have extended, varied or discharged.

Subject to separate entries below –

the Committee, if providing accommodation for the child;

persons who are caring for the child at the time when the proceedings are commenced;

in the case of proceedings brought in respect of a child who is alleged to be staying in a refuge which is certificated under Article 46(1), the person who is providing the refuge

Article 5(1)(a), 5(4), 7(1), 8(8), 10, 14(1), 16(6), 26(5), Schedule 1, paragraph 4(1)(a) of Schedule 2, or paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 5, to the Children Law.

14 days (in the case only of an application under Article 16(6), 26(5), paragraph 4(1)(a) of Schedule 2, or paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 5, to the Children Law).

As for all applications above, and:

in the case of proceedings under Schedule 1 to the Children Law, those persons whom the applicant believes to be interested in or affected by the proceedings;

in the case of an application under paragraph 3(3)(b) of Schedule 5 to the Children Law, any person, other than the child, named in the order or directions which it is sought to discharge or vary.

As for “all applications” above, and –

in the case of an application for an Article 10 order, every person whom the applicant believes –

(i)     to be named in a court order with respect to the same child, which has not ceased to have effect,

(ii)    to be a party to pending proceedings in respect of the same child, or

(iii)   to be a person with whom the child has lived for at least 3 years prior to the application, unless, in a case to which (i) or (ii) applies, the applicant believes that the court order or pending proceedings are not relevant to the application;

in the case of an application under paragraph 4(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Children Law, the parties to the proceedings leading to the care order;

in the case of an application under Article 7(1), the father of the child if he does not have parental responsibility.

Article 33(1), 33(2), 33(3), 33(6), 36(1) or paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 3 to the Children Law.

7 days

As for “all applications” above and:

in the case of an application under Article 33(2) or (3), the supervisor.

As for “all applications” above, and:

in the case of an application for an order under Article 36(1) –

(i)     every person whom the applicant believes to be a parent of the child,

(ii)    every person whom the applicant believes to be caring for the child,

(iii)   every person in whose favour a contact order is in force with respect to the child, and

(iv)   every person who is allowed to have contact with the child by virtue of an order under Article 27.

Article 24, 27(2), 27(3), 27(4), 27(9) or 30(6).

3 days

As for “all applications” above, and:

in the case of an application under Article 27, the person whose contact with the child is the subject of the application.

As for “all applications” above, and:

in the case of an application under Article 24 –

(i)     every person whom the applicant believes to be a party to pending relevant proceedings in respect of the same child, and

(ii)    every person whom the applicant believes to be a parent without parental responsibility for the child.

Article 22, 37(1), 37(6)(b), 40(3), 40(5), 41(5)(a), 45(1) or 78(1).

1 day

As for “all applications” above, and:

in the case of an application under Article 37(6) –

(i) the parties to the application for the order in respect of which it is sought to vary the directions;

(ii)      any person who was caring for the child prior to the making of the order, and

(iii)     any person whose contact with the child is affected by the direction which it is sought to have varied;

in the case of an application under Article 45, the person whom the applicant alleges to have effected or to have been or to be responsible for the taking or keeping of the child.

Except for applications under Article 78(1), as for “all applications” above, and:

in the case of an application under Article 37(1), every person whom the applicant believes to be a parent of the child;

in the case of an application under Article 37(6)(b) –

(i)     the Committee, and

(ii)    any person whom the applicant believes to be affected by the direction which it is sought to have varied;

in the case of an application under Article 78(1), the person referred to in Article 78(1) and any person preventing or likely to prevent such a person from exercising powers under enactments mentioned in Article 78(1).

 


SCHEDULE 2

(Rules 6(2) and 7(2))

forms

Form C1

:

Application for an order

Form C2

:

Application –

 

 

·     for leave to commence proceedings

 

 

·     for an order or directions in existing family proceedings

 

 

·     to be joined as, or cease to be, a party in existing family proceedings

Form C3

:

Supplement for an application for financial provision for a child or variation of financial provision for a child

Form C4

:

Statement of means

Form C5

:

Supplement for an application for an Emergency Protection Order

Form C6

:

Supplement for an application for a warrant to assist a person authorized by an Emergency Protection Order

Form C7

:

Supplement for an application for a care or supervision order

Form C8

:

Supplement for an application for authority to refuse contact with a child in care

Form C9

:

Supplement for an application for contact with a child in care

Form C10

:

Supplement for an application for a Child Assessment Order

Form C11

:

Supplement for an application for a recovery order

Form C12

:

Application for a warrant of assistance

Form C13

:

Supplement for an application for an order to hold a child in secure accommodation

 


Form C1


Form C1, continued


Form C1, continued


Form C1, continued


Form C1, continued


Form C2


Form C2 continued


Form C3


Form C3 continued


Form C4


Form C4, continued


Form C4, continued


Form C4, continued


Form C4, continued


Form C5


Form C5 continued


Form C6


Form C6, continued


Form C7


Form C7, continued


Form C8


Form C8 continued


Form C9


Form C10


Form C10 continued


Form C11


Form C11 continued


Form C12


Form C12 continued


Form C12 continued


Form C13


SCHEDULE 3

(Rule 33)

amendments consequential upon move to ministerial government

(1)     In the following provisions of these Rules for the word “Committee” in each place where it appears there shall be substituted the word “Minister” –

(a)     Rule 2(c)(ix), (xi) and (xx);

(b)     Rule 2(e)

(c)     Rule 5(2)(d);

(d)     Rule 6(1);

(e)     Rule 22(5)(iii);

(f)      Rule 25(2);

(g)     Rule 28(1), (3), (4) and (5); and

(h)     column (iv) of Schedule 1.

(2)     In Rule 2(c)(xxiii) for the words “officer of the Committee” there shall be substituted the words “officer of an administration of the States for which the Minister is assigned responsibility”.

 

 




[1] L.50/2002.

[2] R&O 161/2004.

[3] L.8/2005.


Page Last Updated: 26 Apr 2016