The text is enlivened by numerous examples and incorporates the collective wisdom of family jurisdiction judges, leading barristers, solicitors and expert witnesses. In addition, Practice Directions, Protocols and Guidelines governing the presentation of cases are reproduced in the Appendix.

This book provides a guide for the student and the beginning advocate toward understanding the theory and practice of presenting cases to judges involving issues surrounding the breakdown of families. No area of law rests so firmly on the advice and evidence of experts, and the author seeks to provide a background of the research available in each of the most contentious areas of family law. Therefore this text focuses on the latest research regarding topics such as non-accidental injuries to children, the evidence of child witnesses and the victims, and the difficulties of determining the causes of sudden infant deaths.

David Bedingfield, Barrister, 4 Paper Buildings, Temple, London

• General principles of persuasion
• The advocate's craft
• Private law applications regarding children
• Child protection litigation
• Ancillary relief
• Appeals

Appendices

• Practice Direction (5 June 1992)
• Best Practice Note (January 1995)
• Practice Direction (31 January 1995)
• Handbook of Best Practice in Children Act cases
• President's Direction (17 December 1997)
• President's Direction (25 May 2000)
• Practice Note (2 April 2001)
• Practice Note (1 May 2001)
• President's Direction (5 April 2004)
• CAFCASS Practice Note (6 April 2004)
• Protocol (June 2003)

"equally at home on the shelf of an established practitioner ... or a general advocate faced for the first time with a more specialised subset of work ... highly recommended"
New Law Journal

Review from previous edition