Family Procedure Rules: new draft 25.5A, changes to 25.2 and practice directions 25B and 25C
The Family Procedure Rule Committee is consulting publicly on new Family Procedure Rule (FPR) 25.5A concerning the instruction of unregulated experts. The consultation also includes amendments to FPR 25.2 and Practice Directions (PDs) 25B and 25C.
The Committee’s aim is that new FPR 25.5A should require any expert instructed in family law children proceedings to be regulated. This will be subject to some exceptions found within the new FPR 25.5A. The definition of a regulated expert is included in the amendments to FPR 25.2.
A key purpose of these changes is to ensure that any expert instructed in family law children proceedings has the appropriate skills and qualifications on which to base their expert evidence. A regulated expert pursuant to the new definition to be inserted in FPR25.2 must adhere to the standards set by their governing body.
Given the interest in this area and the practical implications for parties, the Committee has decided to consult publicly on the draft new FPR 25.5A and the amendments to FPR25.2, PD25B and PD25C.
The new and amended FPR and PDs can be found on this page alongside a document which provides more information about this consultation and how to submit responses.
The deadline for this response is 6 June 2025.