Fact-Finding Hearings and the Implementation of the President's Practice Direction: Residence and Contact Orders: Domestic Violence and Harm

This project, undertaken by Professor Rosemary Hunter (Primary investigator) and Adrienne Barnett (co-investigator) aimed to determine whether Practice Direction 12J was operating as it was intended to do and if not, what problems were being experienced with its implementation and what steps could be necessary to overcome such problems. Practice Direction 12J to the Family Procedure Rules stipulates best practice for courts and professionals in residence and contact proceedings (now child arrangements proceedings) where domestic violence is an issue. A national online survey was administered to judges, magistrates, family lawyers, officers of CAFCASS and other relevant professionals, which produced both quantitative and qualitative data, which was analysed thematically. The researchers' report was published by the Family Justice Council in 2013, and in 2014 Practice Direction 12J was amended to reflect many of its recommendations.

People

	Name	Telephone	Email	Office
	Dr Adrienne Barnett Reader in Law T: +44 (0)1895 265198 E: adrienne.barnett@brunel.ac.uk	+44 (0)1895 265198	adrienne.barnett@brunel.ac.uk	Elliott Jaques 059