Family court statistics quarterly: July to September 2017
Source: data.gov.uk (2018-05-25)

Family Court Statistics. The bulletin presents the latest statistics on the type and volume of family cases that are received and processed through the justice system of England and Wales.

It focuses on all areas of family justice including public and private law cases; matrimonial matters e.g. divorce; domestic violence remedy orders; forced marriage protection orders; female genital mutilation protection orders; adoption; mental capacity e.g. Court of Protection and Office of the Public Guardian, and the Probate Service.  Data available include number of cases starting and disposed of, applications and orders made, timeliness measures and legal representation.  Data are available at a national, regional and designated family judge (DFJ) area. 

These statistics are used to monitor court workloads, assist in the development of family justice policy and its subsequent monitoring and evaluation.

Published 14 December 2017 
 
Family Court Statistics Quarterly, England and 
Wales, July to September 2017 
Main points 
Increase in number of 
cases starting in Family
courts
 
65,247 new cases started in family courts in July to 
September 2017, up 2% on July to September 2016, 
mainly due to increases in domestic violence remedy 
order and Private law cases (up 10% and 4% 
respectively). 
On average, care 
proceedings took longer
with fewer disposals
within 26 weeks
 
The average time for a care or supervision case to 
reach first disposal was 28 weeks in July to September 
2017, one week up from the same quarter in 2016 but 
remaining steady compared to the previous two 
quarters.   
59% of cases were disposed of within 26 weeks – down 
4 percentage points over the same period for 2016. 
Increase in the number of 
domestic violence 
remedy applications and 
orders made
 
The number of Domestic violence remedy order 
applications increased by 10% compared to the 
equivalent quarter in 2016, whilst the number of orders 
made increased by 13% over the same period. 
Number of adoption 
applications and orders 
continues downward 
trend
 
In July to September 2017, there were 1,373 adoption 
order applications, down 6% on the equivalent quarter 
in 2016. Similarly, over the same period the number of 
adoption orders issued decreased 11% to 1,305. 
Continued increase in 
applications and orders 
made in relation to 
deprivation of liberty
 
There were 1,077 applications relating to deprivation of 
liberty in July to September 2017, up 38% on the 
equivalent quarter in 2016. Deprivation of liberty orders 
were up 57% over the same period, from 362 to 569. 
This publication presents statistics on activity in the family courts of England and Wales and 
provides figures for the latest quarter (July to September 2017). For further information and 
technical details please refer to the accompanying Guide to Family Court Statistics.  
 
 
For feedback related to the content of this publication, please let us know at 
xxx@xxx.xx 

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1. Overview of the Family Justice System 
An increase in the number of cases starting, whilst the number of disposals 
decreased in Family Courts 
 
In July to September 2017, 65,247 new cases started in family courts, up 2% on the 
equivalent quarter in 2016, due to increases in domestic violence remedy order 
applications, Private law applications and matrimonial matters (up 10% and 4% and 
1% over the same period respectively).  
There were 57,308 cases disposed in July to September 2017, down 2% on the 
equivalent quarter of 2016, due to decreases in matrimonial matters and adoptions 
(down 10% and 13% respectively). 
Figure 1: Cases starting and concluding, by case type, January to March 2011 to July 
to September 2017 (Source: Table 1) 
 
 
In July to September 2017, 43% of new cases within family courts related to matrimonial 
matters – unchanged from the same period in 2016. 
Timeliness by Case Type 
Average time to first disposal varies by case type – Public law cases generally take the 
longest and in 2011 on average, they took nearly a year to reach a first disposal (50 weeks). 
Since 2011, this fell steadily and by 2016, almost halved to reach 26 weeks.  For the 
quarters of 2017 so far, the average has been 27 weeks (up one week).  The average time 
for other case types remained fairly stable between 2011 and 2016 (Table 10). 
Public and Private law cases – number of parties, and High Court cases 
Two new tables have been introduced in this bulletin. The first (Table 6), on the number of 
individual parties involved in Public and Private law cases shows that most Private law 
cases involve one applicant and one respondent only. However, for Public law cases whilst 
99% have only one applicant, three quarters involve two or more respondents. 
The second table (Table 7), giving the number of Public and Private law cases started which 
were indicated as High Court, shows that about 2% and 1% of cases started were indicated 
as High Court for Public and Private law respectively.   
 
Disposals 
Starts 
HMCTS audit of all outstanding 
private law cases 

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2. Public Law 
Steady trend in Public law cases started, but cases disposed up 
The number of Public law cases starting in July to September 2017 was down 1% to 
4,886 compared to the equivalent quarter in 2016, whilst case disposals were up 6% 
to 4,362. 
Timeliness for care proceedings increased in the latest quarter 
 
The average time for a care and supervision case to reach first disposal was 28 
weeks in July to September 2017, one week up from the same quarter in 2016 but 
remaining steady compared to the previous two quarters. 59% of these care 
proceedings were disposed of within the 26-week limit introduced in the Children and 
Families Act 2014.1 
There were 5,149 new Public law applications in July to September 2017, down 1% on the 
equivalent quarter in 2016. There were 9,025 children involved in those applications in July 
to September 2017, meaning that on average, there were 1.75 children involved in each 
application.  
In comparison, there were 10,957 children involved in Public law orders made in July to 
September 2017, down 3% on the same quarter in 2016.  
Figure 2 shows the most common types of Public law orders applied for and made in July to 
September 2017, illustrating the different pattern between the types of orders applied for 
and the orders that are given, i.e. an application for one type can result in an order of a 
different type being made. 
Figure 2: Public law applications and orders made, showing the number of children 
involved in each order type, July to September 2017 (Source: Tables 3-4) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                               
1 See the accompanying technical guide for more information. 

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3. Private Law 
Increase in the number of Private law case starts and applications 
 
The number of Private law cases2 started increased by 4% in July to September 
2017 compared to the equivalent quarter in 2016.  The number of applications also 
increased by 3% over the same period.  
Similarly, the number of Private law cases disposed in July to September 2017 was 
up 8% on the equivalent quarter in 2016, with the number of disposals also up 1%. 
There were 13,528 new Private law applications in July to September 2017, up 3% on the 
equivalent quarter in 2016 – these applications involved 29,650 children; on average, there 
were 1.5 children involved in each application.  
The number of Private law disposals in July to September 2017 was 19,708, up 1% on the 
equivalent quarter in 2016, whilst the number of children involved was also up 3% to 45,456 
in July to September 2017. The average number of children involved in each disposal 
increased to 1.5 in July and September 2017 compared to 1.4 in the equivalent quarter in 
2016. 
Timeliness of Private law cases 
In July to September 2017, it took on average 23 weeks for Private law cases to reach a 
final order, i.e. case closure, up slightly on the same period in 2016. There are continued 
signs of a reversal in the downward trend seen since the middle of 2014.   
Figure 3: Private law timeliness from case start date to final order in the family court, 
January to March 2011 to July to September 2017 (Source: Table 9) 
                                               
2 The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) also publishes (England only) data on 
the number of private law cases. A comparison of Cafcass and MoJ data and further information can be found in 
the accompanying guide. 

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4. Legal representation 
In general, across all family case types, cases where either both parties or the respondent 
only had legal representation took longer to be disposed than those cases where only the 
applicant was represented or where both parties were without legal representation (Table 
10).  
The proportion of parties with legal representation in cases with at least one hearing varies 
by case type range from around 75% for Public law to 2% for adoption cases (Table 11). 
Legal representation in Private law cases 
The removal of legal aid for many Private law cases in April 2013 resulted in a change in the 
pattern of legal representation over time3. In July to September 2017, the proportion of 
disposals where neither the applicant nor respondent had legal representation was 35%, an 
increase of 18 percentage points since April to June 2013. Correspondingly, the proportion 
of cases where both parties had legal representation dropped by 16 percentage points to 
19% over the same period (Figure 4). 
Figure 4: Proportion of private law disposals by type of legal representation of the 
parties, January to March 2012 to July to September 2017 (Source: Table 10) 
 
The change seen in the pattern of legal representation is also demonstrated in Private law 
cases with at least one hearing where the proportion of parties with legal representation 
dropped from 59% in 2012 to 33% in July to September 2017. 
                                               
3 Please see the accompanying guide for further details. 

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5. Divorce 
The number of divorce petitions has remained stable, with a slight increase in 
timeliness of proceedings 
 
Divorce petitions were up slightly by 1% in July to September 2017 compared to 
same period in the previous year.   
 
There were 27,898 divorce petitions made during July to September 2017, up 1% from the 
same quarter in 2016, whilst there were 24,957 Decrees Absolutes granted, down 10% over 
the same period (Table 12). 
For those granted Decree Nisi in July to September 2017, the average time from the date of 
petition was 24.2 weeks, whilst the average time from petition to Decree Absolute was 49.1 
weeks. 
Table 14 and Figure 5 shows how long it takes, on average, for petitions to reach certain 
stages in the process, counted by the number of quarters elapsed.  
Figure 5: Percentage of divorce cases started between Q1 2011 to Q3 2017 reaching 
Decree Nisi or Decree Absolute, by the number of quarters since petition (Source: 
Table 14) 
 
One-third (33%) of divorce petitions made between 1 January 2011 and 30 September 2017 
reached Decree Nisi in the first quarter after the petition was made, with just over a further 
third (37%) reaching this stage within the second quarter. Over half the petitions reached 
Decree Absolute within three quarters after petition (2% in the first quarter, 35% within 1 to 
2 quarters and 19% within 2 to 3 quarters). 
A new csv accompanying this publication has been produced this quarter which gives a 
breakdown of the number of petitions by county, based where available on the address 
details of the petitioner. This is in place of the csv file previously produced by court. 

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6. Financial remedy 
 
Decrease seen in financial remedy applications, with a slight increase in disposals 
 
Number of financial remedy applications was down 3% to 11,429, while disposals 
were up 2% over the same period. 
 
There were 11,429 financial remedy applications in July to September 2017, down 3% on 
the equivalent quarter in 2016 (Table 15). 
In July to September 2017, there were 10,639 financial remedy disposals, up 2% on the 
equivalent quarter in 2016. During this period, 70% of disposals were uncontested, 22% 
were initially contested and 9% were contested throughout. 
In July to September 2017, lump sum and property adjustment orders were the most 
common types of order given, accounting for over half (54%) of all financial remedy disposal 
types (Table 16 and Figure 6). 
Figure 6: Financial remedy disposal types, July to September 2017 (Source: Table 16) 
 

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7. Domestic violence remedy orders 
 
Number of domestic violence remedy order applications and orders increase 
 
In July to September 2017, the number of applications was up 10% compared to July 
to September 2016, whilst the number of orders made was also up 13% over the 
same period. 
 
In July to September 2017, there were 6,692 applications made for a domestic violence 
remedy order, up 10% on the same quarter in 2016 (Table 17). The majority of applications 
were for non-molestation orders (81%) compared to occupation orders (19%). 
Similarly, of the 7,446 domestic violence orders made in July to September 2017, 91% were 
non-molestation orders and 9% were occupation orders. 
Figure 7 below shows that the latest increase in applications is seen in both non-molestation 
and occupation orders. For the latter, this follows a recent steady trend, whilst for non-
molestation orders the recent trend, although fluctuating, has been slowly upward. 
Figure 7: Applications for domestic violence remedy orders, January to March 2009 
to July to September 2017 (Source: Table 17) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

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8. Forced Marriage Protection Orders and Female Genital 
Mutilation Protection Orders 
 
General upward trend in the number of forced marriage protection orders and 
female genital mutilation orders. 
 
The number of applications and orders made for Forced Marriage Protection Orders 
(FMPOs) is very small. Consequently, as Figure 8 shows, numbers fluctuate each quarter 
but overall there has been a general upward trend since their introduction in November 
2008. In July to September 2017, there were 88 applications and 64 orders made (Table 
18). Of those applications, 70% of the applicants were aged 17 and under, compared to 
30% aged over 17. 
Figure 8: Applications and orders made for Forced Marriage Protection Orders, 
January to March 2009 to July to September 2017 (Source: Table 18) 
Applications
Orders
0
20
40
60
80
100
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
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Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
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Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Number of FMPO applications/disposals
 
As with FMPOs, the number of applications and orders made for Female Genital Mutilation 
Protection Orders (FGMPOs) is very small with only 42 and 34 made respectively in July to 
September 2017 (Table 19). In total, there have been 205 applications and 179 orders 
made up to the end of September 2017 since their introduction in July 2015.

9. Adoptions 
Number of adoption applications and orders continues downward trend 
 
During July to September 2017, there were 1,373 adoption order applications made, 
down 6% from the equivalent quarter in 2016. Similarly, over the same period the 
number of adoption orders issued decreased 11% to 1,305 (Tables 20 and 21). 
 
There were 2,849 applications under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, including 
placement orders during July to September 2017, a 4% decrease on the same quarter in 
the previous year. Total disposals also dropped 13% to 2,559 over the same period. 
Figure 9 below shows the trend of adoption orders by the type of adopter. This shows that 
during July to September 2017, almost two-thirds (63%) of all adoption orders were issued 
to male/female couples, 17% to sole applicants, 12% to same-sex couples and a further 8% 
to step-parents. 
Figure 9: Adoption orders issued, by adopter, January to March 2011 to July to 
September 2017 (Source: Table 21) 
 
 

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10 Mental Capacity Act - Court of Protection 
Continued increasing trend in applications and orders made in relation to 
deprivation of liberty 
 
There were 1,077 applications relating to deprivation of liberty made in the most 
recent quarter, up 38% on the number made in July to September 2016. Similarly, 
orders made for deprivation of liberty increased by 57% over the same period, from 
362 to 569 respectively. 
 
Figure 10: Deprivation of Liberty applications, January to March 2008 to July to 
September 2017 (Source: Table 22) 
 
In July to September 2017, there were 8,049 applications made under the Mental Capacity 
Act 2005 (MCA), up 4% on the equivalent quarter in 2016 (7,762 applications). Just under 
half (49%) related to applications for appointment of a property and affairs deputy (Table 
22). 
In comparison, there were 10,023 orders made under the MCA, 50% more than the same 
quarter in 2016, driven by a clearance of outstanding cases and an increase in the number 
of cases being dealt with by regional courts. A third (33%) of the orders related to the 
appointment of a deputy for property and affairs (Table 23). 
 
 

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11 Mental Capacity Act - Office of the Public Guardian 
 
There were 193,285 Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) received in July to September 2017, 
up 32% on the same quarter for 2016 and maintaining the strong upward trend (Table 24). 
The increase seen in recent years is largely due to increased publicity and new online forms 
which were introduced in July 2015 making it simpler and faster to apply for LPAs. There 
were 2,774 Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) in July to September 2017, down 11% on 
the equivalent quarter in 2016. 
Figure 11: Powers of attorney received, January to March 2008 to July to September 
2017 (Source: Table 24) 
 

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Further information 
The data presented in this publication are from live administrative databases. Therefore, 
previously published data is liable to be updated in the latest bulletin, following any further 
data cleaning or the incorporation of additional cases not available in the extracts used to 
produce previous bulletins. 
Accompanying files 
As well as this bulletin, the following products are published as part of this release: 
 
A technical guide providing further information on how the data is collected and 
processed, as well as information on the revisions policy and legislation relevant to 
family court and background on the functioning of the family justice system 
 
A set of overview tables and CSV files, covering each section of this bulletin 
 
A family court statistics visualisation tool available at 
public.tableau.com/profile/moj.analysis#!/vizhome/FamilyCourtstatistic
stool2017Q2/Frontpage. 
National Statistics status 
National Statistics status means that official statistics meet the highest standards of 
trustworthiness, quality and public value. 
All official statistics should comply with all aspects of the Code of Practice for Official 
Statistics. They are awarded National Statistics status following an assessment by the 
Authority’s regulatory arm. The Authority considers whether the statistics meet the highest 
standards of Code compliance, including the value they add to public decisions and debate. 
It is the Ministry of Justice’s responsibility to maintain compliance with the standards 
expected for National Statistics. If we become concerned about whether these statistics are 
still meeting the appropriate standards, we will discuss any concerns with the Authority 
promptly. National Statistics status can be removed at any point when the highest standards 
are not maintained, and reinstated when standards are restored. 
Contact 
Press enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Justice press office: 
Tel: xx-xxxx-xxxx 
Email: xxx@xxx.xx  
Other enquiries about these statistics should be directed to the Justice Statistics Analytical 
Services division of the Ministry of Justice: 
Bridgette Miles, Head of Civil, Administrative and Family Justice Statistics 
Ministry of Justice, 7th Floor, 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ 
Email: xxx@xxx.xx  
 
Next update: 29 March 2018 
URL: www.gov.uk/government/collections/family-court-statistics-quarterly 
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Alternative formats are available on request from xxx@xxx.xx