(Editors note: Altough of course you don't need unnecessary family court lawyers anyway. See our McKenzie Friends)

Where the parties have reached agreement as to what should happen after the initial disclosures, and where the disclosure process has gone relatively smoothly, the parties can opt to bypass the First Appointment.

When is the accelerated procedure available?

In order to agree the accelerated procedure, the following conditions must be met:

1. The parties must agree and sign a draft Consent Order in a standard form in accordance with a precedent issued by the court. A Consent Order signed by the parties’ legal representatives is also acceptable.

2. The draft Consent Order must be submited with the following documents:

• Both parties’ Form E financial statements.
• Both parties concise statements of issue, chronologies and questionnaires.

3. Any other document vital to the court’s ability to approve the Consent Order.

The Procedure

• The signed draft Consent Order and documents referred to at paragraph 2 above must be filed with the court by email at least 14 days prior to the date of the First Appointment hearing.

• A District Judge must approve the draft Consent Order in advance of the hearing and should give a response by email at least 7 days before the date of the First Appointment.

• The Judge can decide not to approve the draft Consent Order and is not obliged to provide reasons for declining their approval.

• The District Judge can contact the parties by telephone to seek clarification on any issues before approving the Consent Order.

• Approval will not be given in cases where the draft Consent Order includes provision for further questionnaires to be raised which the District Judge has not considered.

• If the District Judge does not approve the Consent Order then the First Appointment hearing will proceed on the due date in the normal way where the parties are required to attend.

Can the Consent Order include a costs provision?

• The Consent Order can include provision for costs but anticipates the proper order for costs in accordance with this procedure should be “costs in the application”. However, other costs may be permitted if agreed between the parties.