On this page you can find Family Court Protocols, Practice Notes, and Best Practice Guidelines. Some are on this website, and some are located on the Ministry of Justice website but are linked to from this page.

On this page:

• Family Court Protocols
• Family Court Practice Notes
• Family Court Best Practice Guidelines

Family Court Protocols

A protocol is an agreement between the Family Court or Ministry of Justice and another government organisation or agency. It sets out what should be done in certain circumstances – perhaps in an unusual situation where there is no other precedent or existing process for particular agencies to work together. The Protocol then provides a basis on which future similar issues must be managed.

Current Protocols:

• Protocol for the Sharing of Information Between the Family and Youth Courts, July 2020
• Protocol – Children's medical emergencies(external link), March 2011

Family Court Practice Notes

Practice Notes cover many topics. They can contain guidelines on how a case must be managed, from the filing of the first document that starts proceedings through to disposition (the end of the case). They can also outline how professional services must be managed.

Family Court Practice Notes are located on the Ministry of Justice website, on this page:

Practice Notes & Procedures(external link)

Family Courts Best Practice Guidelines

Guidelines establish expected standards of practice in the Family Court. They may be issued in cases where it is not appropriate to issue a Practice Note.

Family Court Best Practice Guidelines are located on the Ministry of Justice website, at the bottom of this page:

Practice Notes & Procedures(external link)