The training is an introduction for intermediaries to working in the family courts. Participants will learn about the matters in issue in family law cases, the legal framework, potential outcomes and how to work in the role of the intermediary in the family court process.

There is Part 2 of 'Intermediares in the Family Courts' running on 25th and 26th February. If you would like to book on this as well please visit here.

Course dates and times:
20th February
9.45am- 3.30pm
Registration from 9.45am, start 10am.

Course aims / objectives:

We will provide the background legal and practical information you need, to be able to work effectively in the family court. We will also discuss what we do in practice in the family courts, how we work with the vulnerable and measures that we can recommend to ensure their meaningful participation. Our aim is that participants will have enough information to be able to work competently and confidently in the family court setting in public family law cases.

Course content:

We will consider:

• The key differences for intermediaries when you move from working in the criminal courts to the family courts
•  A step by step review of the entire intermediary process from referral to the end of your intermediary work: assessment, report writing, interim hearings, ‘special measures,’ memory refresh practicalities, the hearing itself and what may happen after the hearing. 
• Family law basics: what you need to understand to be able to support your vulnerable person and the Family Procedure Rules and Directions governing intermediaries and special measures.

Participants will learn about the family court, the issues the court considers, the language the court uses and similarities and differences to working in the criminal courts.

We will review and explain the structure of a case from application to the court, to the Judge’s decision and how an Intermediary works with a vulnerable person once we are brought in to assist communication. We will consider the measures that an Intermediary can recommend in order to facilitate communication and where these measures are referred to in the Family Law Rules and Practice Directions..

Finally we will discuss how to become involved in the work (from point of referral on), who to invoice and the practical considerations for the Intermediary in the context of family court work.

The following materials are provided:

• Timetable for the training day
• Glossary of terms
• Two Handouts providing more detailed information Family Law by barrister, Paula Thomas
• References for information that the training is based on
• Further Reading
• Examples of Visual Aids and materials we have used in court
• Slides from the day

The course will be run remotely using Zoom.