Litigants in Person in Family Courts

The request was partially successful.

Dear Her Majesty’s Courts Service,

I am writing to make an open government request for all the
information to which I am entitled under the freedom of information
act. In order to assist you with this request, I am outlining my
query as specifically as possible. If however this request is too
wide or too unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as
I understand that under the act, you are required to advise and
assist requesters.

My request is in relation to the numbers of litigants in person using the family justice system.

Please provide me with the following information:

1 How many private law children cases and ancillary relief cases were being dealt with by
a) Family Proceedings Courts
b) County Courts
c) The Family Division High Court
d) Other higher courts
as at the date of this response? If you cannot provide a breakdown between courts please provide the overall figure.
Private law children cases are cases under parts 1-2 Children Act 1989. Ancillary Relief cases are cases under Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

2 How many public law children cases were being dealt with by
a) Family Proceedings Courts
b) County Courts
c) The Family Division High Court
d) Other higher courts
as at the date of this response? If you cannot provide a breakdown between courts please provide the overall figure.
Public Law Children cases are cases under parts 3-5 Children Act 1989.

3 Of the cases listed in question 1 how many involve a party for whom there is no solicitor on the court record?

4 Of the cases listed in question 1 how many involve no parties for whom there is a solicitor on the court record?

5 What is the average duration to date of the cases falling into each of the categories identified above? i.e. For how long on average have the cases described at 4 been running? For how long on average have the cases described at 3 been running? For how long on average have those cases not falling within 3 or 4 been running? For how long on average have cases being dealt with at the date of this response been running?

6 How many private law children cases were being dealt with by any level of court and in how many of those cases has a guardian been appointed?

If you are unable to answer all of the above questions because you do not hold the necessary data please answer such questions as you are able to. In any event please state what data is collected by HMCS (HMCTS) and what tracking or analysis is undertaken in relation to the numbers of litigants in person and the calls they place upon the resources of HMCS.

I understand that under the act, I should be entitled to a response
within 20 working days. I would be grateful if you could confirm in
writing that you have received this request. I look forward to
hearing from you in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

Lucy Reed

Lowe, Wincen, HM Courts and Tribunals Service

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Reed
Please see the attached document with regard to your recent FOI.
Regards
Wincen
 
Wincen Lowe
Family Statistics
Justice Statistics Analytical Services
Tel: 020 333 43080
(Please note my work days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)
 
 
 

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recorded for legal purposes.

Williams, Helen (ESD), HM Courts and Tribunals Service

1 Attachment

Dear Ms Reed,

Please find, attached, a letter giving our response to your Freedom of Information request.

Regards

Helen Williams

Statistical Officer
Family Court Statistics Branch
Justice Statistics Analytical Services

7.20, 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ
020 3334 3091

This e-mail (and any attachment) is intended only for the attention of
the addressee(s). Its unauthorised use, disclosure, storage or copying
is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all
copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.

Internet e-mail is not a secure medium. Any reply to this message
could be intercepted and read by someone else. Please bear that in
mind when deciding whether to send material in response to this message
by e-mail.

This e-mail (whether you are the sender or the recipient) may be
monitored, recorded and retained by the Ministry of Justice. E-mail
monitoring / blocking software may be used, and e-mail content may be
read at any time. You have a responsibility to ensure laws are not
broken when composing or forwarding e-mails and their contents.

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Lucy Reed left an annotation ()

I've analysed the response to this FOI request here: http://pinktape.co.uk/2011/11/foi-lips-m...