The Ministry of Justice has published new guidance for the family courts aimed at reducing unecessary delays in the care proceedings system.

The Public Law Outline is designed to promote better co-operation between all the parties involved in care and supervision cases.

Under the PLO, the current six stages of the court process will be reduced to four, resulting in a simpler more streamlined process with fewer unnecessary hearings.

The guidance will come into force on 1 April 2008.

Further information is available on the Ministry of Justice website.