This CPD course is delivered in conjunction with The City Law School and the School of Health Sciences. 

Online booking open here.

Course facilitators: Nicola Lewis and Amy Harrison

Who is this course for? This course has been developed for intermediaries. 

Course requirements: IfJ Full, International or Associate member. Join here.

This course is an introduction for intermediaries to working in the family courts. Participants will learn about the matters in issue in family law cases, the legal framework, potential outcomes and how to work in the role of the intermediary in the family court process.

Please note this is a revised version of the course that IfJ has run as a Small Group Family Court Training earlier this year. We have had the benefit of City's input and have taken on board feedback given at the last three workshops to create this slightly amended training. An advanced training will follow early in 2020 which builds on these 'foundation' trainings. 

Participants from the earlier small group trainings are welcome to attend as a 'revision' exercise, but you may prefer to wait for the advanced training to build on your knowledge.

- We will provide the background legal and practical information you need, to be able to work effectively in the family court. 

- We will also discuss what we do in practice in the family courts, how we work with the vulnerable and measures that we can recommend to ensure their meaningful participation. 

- Our aim is that participants will have enough information to be able to work competently and confidently in the family court setting.

Course content:

• The key differences for intermediaries when you move from working in the criminal courts to the family courts
• A step by step review of the entire intermediary process from referral to the end of your intermediary work: assessment, report writing, interim hearings, ‘special measures,’ memory refresh practicalities, the hearing itself and what may happen after the hearing.
• Family law basics: what you need to understand to be able to support your vulnerable person and the Family Procedure Rules and Directions governing intermediaries and special measures.

Participants will learn about the family court, the issues the court considers, the language the court uses and similarities and differences to working in the criminal courts.

- We will review and explain the structure of a case from application to the court, to the Judge’s decision and how an Intermediary works with a vulnerable person once we are brought in to assist communication. We will consider the measures that an Intermediary can recommend in order to facilitate communication and where these measures are referred to in the Family Law Rules and Practice Directions.

- We will also spend some time on group work, sharing strategies for supporting communication in practice throughout a hearing (as opposed to when the person gives evidence only) both inside and away from the court.

- Finally, we will discuss how to become involved in the work (from point of referral on), who to invoice and the practical considerations for the Intermediary in the context of family court work.

The course fee includes a light lunch and refreshments. If you have any special dietary requirements or allergies please email your requirements/requests to cpd@city.ac.uk no later than 7 days before the course date.

Cancellation policy:  
If you wish to cancel your booking 30 or more days before a course/assessment start date, you have the option of receiving a refund minus a charge of £100. If you wish to cancel with less than 30 days before the course/assessment start date, the cancellation fee will be the total course fee. If you wish to cancel your booking please do so in writing by emailing: cpd@city.ac.uk. They will endeavour to respond to all cancellation requests within 5 working days. Refunds will be made using the same method of payment as you used for the purchase and will be paid within 14 days of you informing us of the cancellation, however, City and IfJ will not be liable for any travel, accommodation or any other costs as a result of any cancellation.

If you are unable to attend the course you may substitute another delegate by giving City 24 hours’ notice - please email cpd@city.ac.uk

Please see City Terms and Conditions for full Terms and Conditions. (Section V1, 3.3-3.6 for the cancellation policy). 

Places are limited to a maximum of 20 participants. There is a minimum requirement of 12 participants. If the minimum number is not met, the course will be cancelled with a weeks notice and a full refund given. 

Book here.