Judicial Protocol Regulating Direct Judicial Communications Between Scotland, England & Wales, and Northern Ireland in Children’s Cases
Documents
Updated April 2026
Judges and practitioners alike will be aware of the existing cross-jurisdiction protocol on judicial communication between Scotland, England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. The protocol, which was first published in July 2018, was updated in February 2023 to include Northern Ireland.
A handbook accompanying this protocol, on family law relating to Scotland and England & Wales, has now been updated. A handbook on family law relating to Northern Ireland was also previously published.
Judicial communications between the jurisdictions in relation to children’s cases are now also to be conducted through a request form sent to the relevant office.
The primary liaison judge for England and Wales is Lord Justice Moylan, and the alternate liaison judge is Mr Justice MacDonald.
The protocol, request form and updated handbook can be found below:
Related guidance 5
Other guidance whose text is closest in subject to this document, found by similarity of wording rather than by citation.
- New protocol on communications between judges in Scotland, England & Wales, and Northern Ireland in cases involving adults who lack capacity, and accompanying handbook2026-04-23
- Tribunals organisation chart2025-10-17
- President’s Guidance: Public law children cases with an international element2025-01-21
- Judicial Protocol update: Expedition of Cases Involving Witnesses Under 10 Years2022-07-25
- Revised National Listing Protocol for applications that seek Deprivation of Liberty Orders relating to children under the inherent jurisdiction2023-10-18