The Chief Planner, Joanna Averley, has published a second planning update newsletter for December 2024, written for the chief planning officers at local planning authorities (LPAs). The newsletter contains details of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)'s publication of a working paper proposing a new approach to development and nature recovery, suggesting that developers contribute to a 'Nature Restoration Fund' to meet their environmental obligations more effectively. Additionally, the MHCLG published an updated Criteria Document for improving planning performance, reducing the assessment period for decision-making speed from 24 months to 12 months. The MHCLG also announced grant funding to support the implementation of recent National Planning Policy Framework changes, with over £14.8m available to support local authorities with local plan delivery and Green Belt reviews. Expressions of interest for this funding are due by 17 January 2025. The newsletter also highlights ongoing initiatives, such as Public Practice's recruitment support for LPAs and a new Regional Design and Place Advocates programme. LPAs are also reminded to update their brownfield land registers by 31 December 2024.

The Chief Planner, Joanna Averley, has published a planning update newsletter for March 2025, written for the chief planning officers at local planning authorities (LPAs).  The newsletter contains details of the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to Parliament, which aims to streamline the delivery of new homes and infrastructure. It also covers funding allocations for local authorities to support local plan delivery and Green Belt Reviews, updates to planning practice guidance, and the availability of Pathways to Planning bursaries for new planning roles. Additionally, the newsletter highlights new training resources launched by the Environment Agency and the Town and Country Planning Association to support planners and flood risk professionals.

A person under the age of 18.

This Practice Note explains how to apply for an order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989), namely, a child arrangements order (CAO), a specific issue or prohibited steps order. It includes guidance on the requirements for attendance at a mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM). It also considers the provisions of the Pre-application Protocol: private law proceedings relating to children (the protocol), which is annexed to FPR 2010, PD 12B and outlines the steps the court will expect the parties to take in relation to non-court dispute resolution (NCDR), where this is safe and appropriate, prior to the commencement of any application for an order in private law children proceedings. It identifies the respondents and anyone else to whom notice must be given and explains about gatekeeping, service requirements, the first hearing dispute resolution appointment (FHDRA) and the directions that may be given and the dispute resolution appointment (DRA). It also provides information about settlement conferences, how to withdraw proceedings and orders by consent. It explains about the online

The Ministry of Justice has announced the national rollout of Child Focused Courts across England and Wales, following a pilot programme that reduced Family Court case timelines by an average of seven and a half months. The Child Focused Courts (previously known as Private Law Pathfinder) have been piloted since February 2022 in Family Courts across North Wales and Dorset, and currently operate in 10 of 43 court areas, including all of Wales, West Yorkshire, Birmingham and the West Midlands, as well as Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The model is intended for all court users, with a particular emphasis on the voice of the child and improving the family court experience and outcomes for survivors of domestic abuse, including children and litigants in person. The child focused model will be expanded with £17 million in government funding for the next financial year.

The Child Maintenance Service is a government organisation that deals with statutory child maintenance.

This Practice Note provides information on the periods and conditions of permission associated with entry clearance and permission to stay for persons in the Child Student route, including conditions relating to work and study that have been imposed in the Child Student and the predecessor Tier 4 (Child) categories. See also Practice Note: Child Student: eligibility, which outlines the points-based and non points-based eligibility requirements for entry clearance and permission to stay applications under the Child Student route. Grant of permission The period of permission granted to a Child Student depends on a number of factors outlined in the table below. Table of permission granted Applicant aged under 16 Applicant aged 16 or over Up to one month before the start date of the course plus the shorter of: Up to one month before the start date of the course, plus the shorter of: —the length of time requested by the applicant —the length of time requested by the applicant —the length of the applicant's

This Practice Note outlines the general eligibility requirements for entry clearance and permission to stay applications for Child Students. See also Practice Note: Child Student: duration and conditions of permission for information on the period and conditions of permission associated with entry clearance and permission to stay for persons in the Child Student route. Key resources at a glance Resource type Link Immigration Rules Immigration Rules, Introduction, para 6.2(b) ‘Child Student’ Immigration Rules, Appendix Child Student Immigration Rules Appendix Finance Home Office guidance Student and Child Student caseworker guidance Student Sponsor Guidance Financial evidence for Student and Child Student route applicants guidance Financial requirement caseworker guidance Home Office student visa information tool [includes relevant fees and links to online forms] Child Student visa Forms Child Student visa: Entry clearance online form Child Student: Permission to stay online form EEA national with chipped passport: ID Check app An introduction to the Child Student route Child Student

The Child Support Agency (CSA) is a government organisation that dealt with statutory child maintenance via a maintenance calculation prior to the creation of the Child Maintenance Service. See: Child Support Agency.

The removal by a parent of a child from the care of the other parent without the consent of that parent or the unlawful retention of the child.

The offences of child abduction The Child Abduction Act 1984 (CAA 1984) creates two child abduction offences. The first offence relates to the abduction of a child by a parent or a person connected with the child by taking or sending the child out of the UK without appropriate consent (CAA 1984, s 1). The second offence concerns the abduction or detention of a child by other persons (CAA 1984, s 2). Both offences can be tried either way in the magistrates' court or the Crown Court. Consent of DPP The consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions is required before proceedings can be commenced in respect of either child abduction offence. Elements of the offence of abduction of child by a person connected with a child The ingredients of the offence of child abduction by a person connected with the child are set out in section 1 of the CAA 1984. The prosecution must prove: • a person who is 'connected with a child' under 16 • takes or • sends the child out

This Practice Note sets out the key provisions and application of the 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Cooperation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (the 1996 Hague Convention) as it applies to child abduction proceedings. It also provides guidance on the relationship between the 1996 Hague Convention and the Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the 1980 Hague Convention) together with relevant case law and the implications of Brexit. For practical guidance on the wider provisions of the 1996 Hague Convention, see Practice Notes: 1996 Hague Convention—general principles and Recognition, enforcement and co-operation under the 1996 Hague Convention. For practical guidance on the 1980 Hague Convention, see Practice Note: Child abduction—introduction and issuing proceedings (Hague Convention). The 1996 Hague Convention came into force in England and Wales on 1 November 2012. The objectives of the Convention are to: • determine which state has jurisdiction • determine which law is to be applied • determine who has parental responsibility • make