Practice Directions Explained

Last reviewed and updated: 15 January 2026
Source authorities: Ministry of Justice · HMCTS · justice.gov.uk

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What are Practice Directions — and why do they matter?

Practice Directions (“PDs”) are procedural instructions issued by the judiciary that sit alongside the Family Procedure Rules (FPR).

They are not optional guidance. Courts are expected to follow them, and parties are expected to understand and comply with them.

For litigants in person, Practice Directions often determine:

• how evidence must be prepared,

• what the court is required to consider,

• when hearings can or cannot proceed,

• how safeguarding issues are addressed,

• whether applications, appeals, or bundles are accepted or rejected.

This page explains what key Practice Directions do, how they interact with one another, and where procedural misunderstandings commonly arise.

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How to use this section

Each Practice Direction listed below links to a plain-English explanatory article covering:

• what the PD governs,

• who it applies to,

• what has changed recently (where relevant),

• common pitfalls for litigants in person,

• practical procedural consequences.

This landing page itself is not legal advice. It is a structured map of the procedural landscape.

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Core Practice Directions in family proceedings

PD12J – Child Arrangements: Domestic Abuse and Harm

Applies to: Private law children cases involving allegations of domestic abuse
Why it matters:
PD12J governs how courts must approach:

• allegations of abuse,

• risk assessment,

• fact-finding,

• interim and final contact decisions.

Recent amendments require courts to:

• assess patterns of behaviour, not isolated incidents,

• consider coercive and controlling conduct holistically,

• assess risk before ordering interim contact where a child resides in a refuge.

➡ Linked article: PD12J Explained: Domestic Abuse, Risk and Contact Decisions

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PD27A – Court Bundles

Applies to: All family proceedings requiring a hearing bundle
Why it matters:
The new PD27A replaces the old regime entirely. It:

• makes e-bundles the default,

• imposes strict formatting rules,

• shortens filing deadlines,

• distinguishes between bundle requirements by case type.

Non-compliant bundles now risk:

• adjournment,

• exclusion of documents,

• judicial criticism.

➡ Linked article: PD27A Explained: Court Bundles After March 2026

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PD30A – Appeals

Applies to: Appeals in family proceedings
Why it matters:
PD30A sets out:

• how appeals must be brought,

• when permission is required,

• where permission applications must be made.

Following recent rule changes:

• permission to appeal is now required for decisions of lay justices and legal advisers,

• applications must be made to the appeal court, not the original tribunal.

➡ Linked article: PD30A Explained: Appeals and Permission Stages

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PD5B & PD5D – Filing and Communication with the Court

Applies to: All parties filing documents
Why it matters:
These PDs govern:

• email filing,

• document size limits,

• bulk scanning processes,

• third-party scanning providers.

Procedural errors here commonly result in:

• documents not being placed on the court file,

• deadlines being missed unintentionally.

➡ Linked article: Filing Documents Correctly: PD5B and PD5D Explained

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PD36Z – Pathfinder Pilot

Applies to: Private law children cases in designated pilot courts
Why it matters:
PD36Z replaces the traditional Child Arrangements Programme in pilot areas. It:

• introduces an investigative model,

• reduces adversarial hearings,

• changes how evidence and reports are obtained,

• affects enforcement and review processes.

➡ Linked article: The Pathfinder Model Explained for Parents

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PD12B (Pilot) – Investigative Approach

Applies to: Pathfinder-aligned proceedings
Why it matters:
This PD:

• governs Child Impact Reports,

• regulates engagement with children,

• requires domestic abuse risk assessment summaries,

• sets enforcement timeframes.

➡ Linked article: PD12B Explained: Child Impact Reports and Enforcement

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PD36ZD – Online Private Law Proceedings

Applies to: Digital private law applications
Why it matters:
PD36ZD mandates use of the HMCTS digital portal for certain applications by legal representatives and affects:

• how applications are issued,

• how documents are served,

• how parties receive court communications.

➡ Linked article: Online Applications in Family Court: PD36ZD Explained

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Why Practice Directions are a frequent source of unfairness

Many litigants in person experience difficulty not because their case lacks merit, but because:

• the procedural framework is misunderstood,

• Practice Directions are assumed to be guidance rather than rules,

• courts move forward on the basis of procedural compliance rather than substantive justice.

Understanding Practice Directions helps parties:

• protect their position,

• identify procedural errors,

• raise issues calmly and accurately,

• avoid unnecessary adjournments or refusals.

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How this section is kept current

• Practice Directions are monitored via justice.gov.uk.

• This landing page is reviewed when:

  • new PDs are issued,

  • pilot schemes expand or end,

  • amendments materially affect litigants in person.

• Each linked article states the date last reviewed.

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Regulatory & editorial notice

This page provides general procedural information only.
It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.
For case-specific guidance, independent legal advice should be obtained.