Navigating Public Law Outline Pre-Proceedings Procedures - Guidance for Family Lawyers

Introduction

Where a local authority is concerned about the care children receive, working with the family under the Public Law Outline (PLO) pre-proceedings procedure may be the best way to achieve support for the family, whilst avoiding the necessity of a court application for a care or supervision order.

The procedure enables local authorities to assess the nature and severity of the concerns about a child’s welfare before an application for a care or supervision order.

The pre-proceedings procedure provides families an opportunity to work with children’s services to address any issues identified and ameliorate any risks to the children with appropriate support and intervention.

This webinar will outline the process, provide insight into how this process works in practice, and highlight good practice.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• The pre-proceedings procedures timeline
• Highlight the contents of letters before proceedings
• How best to represent clients at pre-proceedings meetings
• The process of assessment and review

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Wednesday 2nd September 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 2,300+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.