This Bench Book has been provided to assist all full and part-time judiciary, particularly in the county court, in the exercise of the family law jurisdiction. It has been prepared with the needs of the less-experienced judge uppermost in the minds of the writers.

This is not intended as a textbook on the law. It is a guide to the judicial function. It is written on the assumption that the reader will have access to the Family Court Practice (the Red Book) or some other recognised practitioner's text. Judges will also find helpful the Children Act Advisory Committee's guide to best practice.

Different judges have different jurisdictions. Those who exercise all jurisdictions will inevitably find overlap in this Bench Book. This has been done to allow those with more limited jurisdictions to find what they need in the sections to which they will naturally refer. Moreover, for the same reason, you may discover some duplication with other Bench Books.

It is hoped that this Bench Book will be regularly updated. In addition, it is planned from time to time to offer by way of supplement some of the written materials produced in the course of the JSB's usual training programme.

As from 1st April 2001 the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) comes into existence amalgamating the court welfare service, the guardian ad litem panels and the children's work of the Official Solicitor. The new terms for the organisation and its staff are used throughout this Bench Book.

Much of what you will find in this Bench Book does not have statutory or other authoritative force. It is the distillation of practitioners' experience offered in the form of hopefully helpful hints. It certainly is not there to curb or direct the wide statutory discretions given by the legislation; it is offered, especially in the earlier sections, as suggested issues and questions that judges might find it helpful to ask themselves.

1. Not to use the information for reproduction in any commercial publication, or to use as a part of any commercial activity.

2. Other than 1. above, that the Family Law Training Pack will be for personal use only and any alterations made to the Family Law Training Pack will not be circulated.

3. That if you wish to use the this material in any other way, you will contact:

Publications Co-Ordinator
Judicial Studies Board
6th Floor, Steel House
11 Tothill Street, London
SW1H 9LJ

publications@jsb.gsi.gov.uk