Contempt of Court - An Introductory Guide for Family Lawyers

Introduction

Contempt of court underpins everything all lawyers do. This can be in seeking compliance with orders or undertakings or bringing committal proceedings.

Family litigation - both children and money cases - involve an understanding of the principles of contempt of court as much as any other litigation as is reflected in the number of committal cases emanating from the family courts.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• A brief history and background of contempt
• The place of contempt in family law - abduction, domestic abuse, non payment, fury with judge
• Creature of common law - the important cases
• Relevant statutes
• Criminal and civil contempt - a distinction without a difference?
• Bringing an application - FPR 37. Public policy and the role of the applicant
• Permission, transfer to another judge, split hearings, autrefois acquit, arrest
• Penalties - custody, fine, confiscation of assets - compensation for the applicant?
• Purging of contempt - Hadkinson principles
• Contempt v criminal proceedings - the pros and the cons
• Undertakings
• Contempt in an international context

This webinar was recorded on 9th June 2023