President publishes new Practice Direction

The President of the Family Division has issued a new Practice Direction.

The Practice Direction takes effect from 16 June 2008 and relates to the method of collecting information for the Office for National Statistics concerning the number of Decrees Absolute and of Final Orders for the Dissolution or Annulment of Civil Partnerships.

The Practice Direction replaces the Registrars Directions of 3 November 1980 and 20 January 1992.

The procedures set out in the Direction are to be followed in completing court forms 105 and 106, and in dealing with the despatch of forms and the resolution of queries.

Form 105 should be completed in respect of decrees absolute only, i.e. for decrees of divorce or nullity, and not for decrees of judicial separation. Form 106 should be completed in respect of final orders for the dissolution or annulment of civil partnerships and not for separation orders.

A copy can be downloaded from the Newswatch Practice Guidance section by clicking here.