HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has issued release notes 3-7 of 2025 regarding design changes to be made to the Family Public Law (FPL) HMCTS portal including to the risk and harm to children and factors affecting parenting, grounds for the application, orders and directions sought, court services needed and international element sections on a C110a application. The design changes follow user research commissioned by the HMCTS FPL service team to understand how the C110a application journey could be improved, consulting with local authorities, legal advisers, judiciary and HMCTS administration to ensure a design that meets needs.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has circulated a notice to stakeholders reminding Family Public Law (FPL) portal users that when completing applications for care orders, the child and respondent information should be set out in full and all information available to the applicant should be entered. This information is used by Cafcass to create a case on their case management system which is then relied upon to contact all the relevant parties to conduct the necessary enquiries. Provision of all information by the applicant will assist Cafcass in conducting their enquiries and preparing and submitting reports in a timely matter.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has published a blog post on the Pathfinder pilot programme in Wales, launched in 2022, which aims to transform family court proceedings by prioritising non-adversarial, out-of-court resolutions for child arrangement disputes. The programme encourages early collaboration among agencies to gather necessary information, focusing on the child's best interests and reducing the time and trauma associated with court cases. Key features include Child Impact Reports filed within six weeks, children being consulted on their preferences, and judge-led discussions to help parents reach solutions. The initiative has successfully reduced the average resolution time for private law applications from 29 weeks to 18 weeks, highlighting the benefits of a holistic approach in family courts. Complex cases involving domestic abuse receive appropriate case management to ensure safe outcomes.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has published a release note confirming that as of 5 August 2024, solicitors have the ability to action an agreed notice of change or notice of acting themselves using MyHMCTS Manage Cases for the online divorce service. This applies to new divorce law cases only (ie those issued on or after 6 April 2022). Where a change of solicitor is not agreed and an application is required, legal representatives are currently unable to remove themselves from the court record and will still need to send these applications through to the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC). HMCTS have said that this is being looking at as a future enhancement to the online system.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has implemented the ability on MyHMCTS for a solicitor to remove themselves as representing a party in divorce cases. This new functionality, which can be used by selecting ‘stop representing client’ from the next step dropdown menu, went live on 10 February 2025. Practitioners should use this function with caution. As soon as the event is clicked and submitted, access is removed immediately and the case can no longer be seen in the list. If the case is shared with other users in a firm, their access will also be removed instantly. The MyHMCTS: How to apply online for a divorce or dissolution has been updated accordingly.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has updated the form for anonymity orders for children and protected parties, PF10, by adding guidance for completing the form under the 'explanatory note' section.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has updated form N180: Directions questionnaires form to add guidance notes for small claims and mediation appointments.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has added new costs budget forms to the list of CPR court forms. The three new precedent forms, Precedent Z, Precedent RZ and Precedent TZ, are referenced in new Practice Directions (CPR PD 51ZG1 and CPR PD 51ZG2), which will come into force on 6 April 2025 as part of the 179th Practice Direction update to the CPR which supports the amendments made to the CPR by  The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025, SI 2025/106.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has updated Form PA1P: apply for probate by post if there is a will and Form PA1A: apply for probate by post if there is not a will. The updates involve questions being added to the forms about receiving a unique probate code from HMRC confirming that the inheritance tax (IHT) account has been processed.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have published a blog providing an update on the revised plans for the Common Platform. HMCTS and MoJ will continue with release 2 and 3 in addition to some ad hoc elements such as the introduction of digital cracked and ineffective trial forms and the functionality to allow judges to validate sentences. The Crown Court Digital Case System (DCS) will be maintained and enhanced ensuring DCS works alongside the Common Platform. HMCTS has also has announced that it has extended the completion date for its reforms in civil and family private law to March 2025. HMCTS has said that its plans still include digitising warrants of control to enforce County Court Judgments. HMCTS has said that these will be issued using the new Online Civil Money Claims service, similar to the legacy Money Claims On Line service.

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) family public law (FPL) service team commissioned user research to understand how the Form C110a application journey may be improved, consulting with local authorities, legal advisers, judiciary and HMCTS administration to ensure a design that meets user needs. The new designs will be released over the next few weeks with a release note to accompany each design change. The first change is to the Form C110a application journey, from 13 February 2024, as the current application hearing options are not in line with the public law outline (PLO) as set out in Family Procedure Rules 2010, PD 12A, and judges have requested that this to be changed in line with the PLO but have also agreed to retain the 'same day' hearing option. Based on user research, HMCTS is also changing the application section to enable gatekeepers to get the information they need to make gatekeeping decisions.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has announced changes to the Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) service pursuant to CPR PD 51R which will enable legal representatives to issue claims where either the claimant or the defendant resides outside England and Wales. The relevant party must be represented by a legal representative whose address for service is in England and Wales.