Consultation launched on re-drafted allocation and gatekeeping guidance

The purpose of the guidance is to ensure that all cases are allocated to the appropriate level of judiciary and, where appropriate, to a named case management judge or case manager who shall provide continuity for the proceedings.

The revised guidance was drawn up by a dedicated Allocation Guidance Working Group comprising Lord Justice Baker, Lead Family Presiding Judge Mr Justice Keehan, a Circuit Judge, a District Judge, and two Senior Legal Managers.

Mr Justice Keehan said the group had undertaken a complete re-draft of the guidance.

Key points to consider, he said, include:

1. Public and Private Law cases are combined into a single guidance document. In respect of Private Law, it covers both Child Arrangements Programme cases and Pathfinder cases.
2. The tables in the old sets of guidance are replaced by lists of the type of cases which should be listed before the various levels of judicial office holders.
3. Provision is now made in the guidance for allocation to magistrates, whereas previously reference was made only to District Judges and Circuit Judges.
4. Adoption cases, which previously were referred to only in para 5 of the Schedule to the 2014 Rules, are now included.

The public consultation, will run until 4pm on Friday 10 October 2025. The draft revised guidance can be found here, and information on how to respond can be found here.