Protocols

Public Law Outline:

Local Practice Note – Getting Back to the PLO on the South Eastern Circuit, was produced and circulated by Mr Justice Williams.

Sussex Protocol – a renewed focus on 26 weeks was produced by HHJ Bedford to supplement the Local Practice Note above and is approved by the SFJB.

Public Law Outline – Points for Improvement -HHJ Bedford September 2023 was produced by HHJ Bedford in September 2023 as an update to Sussex Protocol – a renewed focus on 26 weeks (above)

Experts

The Experts Protocol has been developed by the Sussex Family Justice Board to assist with the process of instructing experts to report within Care Proceedings. The Protocol takes into account the short time within which experts must report if the case is the conclude within the 26 week statutory timetable. The Protocol is endorsed by the Designated Family Judge for Sussex; it is a recommendation for best practice but is not compulsory.

The full details of the protocol, including templates, are available here.

Police Protocol in Public Law Proceedings:

The National Protocol for Police Disclosure was launched in March 2024 and applies to all matters.

In respect of Public Law matters involving Sussex Police and the 3 Local Authorities in Sussex (Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council) a Local Protocol applies which dovetails with the National Protocol. The Local Protocol can be accessed via the link below and only applies to matters involving Sussex Police and one of the 3 Local Authorities in Sussex. If the Local Protocol does not apply, please refer to the National Protocol which is linked above.