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Family Actions Users Group meeting

The Family Actions Users Group met on 14 May 2025 in Parliament House, Edinburgh.

The Family Actions Users Group met on 14 May 2025 in Parliament House, Edinburgh. The Group provides a forum for consultation, discussion and feedback between judges, clerks and practitioners involved in the conduct of family proceedings in the Court of Session. The following matters were discussed and agreed.

  • There should continue to be a discussion at pre-proof hearings about whether time estimates for proofs remain realistic.
  • In advance of a proof, each party should continue to provide the court with a USB stick, containing its inventories of productions in one folder, and affidavits in another. Core bundles will not generally be requested by the court except possibly in high value cases with a large number of productions.

  • As many hearings as possible should take place in court, so as to promote access to justice. There remains the possibility for hybrid hearings with one or both counsel joining remotely. Practitioners should confirm with the family clerks whether any practitioners or clients will be joining remotely.

  • Pre-10am hearings which are likely to take longer than 30 minutes should be scheduled for 9am. Hearings which will take 30 minutes or less can be scheduled for 9.30am. If a hearing will take longer than an hour it should be allocated a special slot.

  • The family judges would ideally like to receive notes of position by lunchtime the day before case management/pre-proof hearings.
Corporate news General
02 June 2025 Communications