This course aims to explore some features of working in the Family courts introduced in Part 1 in more depth. We also aim to introduce additional areas, such as private law family cases and the role of the intermediary and working online or in hybrid hearings.

If you have not attended Part 1 of this course before, you need to complete this first. There is a Part 1 course running on 20th February, click here to book.

Course dates and times:
25th and 26th February
9.30am- 3.30pm

Course aims / objectives:
To increase participants’ knowledge of some of the more complex aspects of family court work. We hope that by doing so, we will upskill intermediaries who are already working in the family courts and increase the confidence levels of those hoping to begin working in the family courts as a next step in their professional intermediary practice.

Course content:
1. Learn about private law family disputes (involving finances on divorce, child arrangements or specific orders such as non-molestation orders) and the role of the intermediary
2. Learn about capacity, the Official Solicitor and the practical implications for the Intermediary and the vulnerable person (a representative from the Official Solicitors office will join us for this part of the course.)
3. Consider a checklist of considerations for vulnerable people and how to facilitate participation in the family court throughout the public family law process, through to the final hearing with a focus on the recommendations that intermediaries may consider making at various stages in the court process. We will have a group discussion about recommendations that have worked in the family court and we will have the opportunity to discuss aspects of the work with a very experienced family court barrister.
4. Review and discuss how to approach remote and hybrid hearings (which may be with us for some time to come).
5. Revisit the public family law jargon: those orders, what they mean, the people involved and what their role is. Who to expect in a final hearing and how to prepare.
6. Consider the importance of the Threshold document in public family law hearings and simplification. We will identify commonly occurring concepts which require simplification, and we will work in small groups and feed back on the most commonly used phrases. This work will be done using a Threshold document adapted from a real court hearing.
7. Learn about the cross-over between the criminal court and the family court: what this means for the vulnerable person and for the intermediary.

We plan to have time to discuss difficult cases and general questions at the end of the course.

Course method:
Interactive small group training.
We have 3 excellents guest speakers. Modules will be presented by speakers and facilitators, using mixed media. We will have a facilitated small group work session, a Q and A session with the lawyers and facilitators and some reflective practice time.

The course is run in the form of a small group training. The presenters will present information and will invite high levels of participation and sharing of knowledge and ideas.

The following materials are provided:

• Pre-course Information and Preparation Form
• Power point presentations
• Glossary of terms
• Guidance for further reading-Bibliography

The course will be run remotely using Zoom.