The family law system has undergone a significant procedural reform with the introduction of new District Court application forms, which came into effect on 3 June 2025. These changes aim to streamline common family law processes and improve accessibility for both legal practitioners and members of the public engaging with the court system.
The updated forms and procedures apply to the majority of private family law applications, including maintenance, domestic violence orders, and child-related matters such as guardianship and access.
What has changed?
The changes introduced affect most family law applications made to the District Court. If you’re dealing with a family issue and need to go to court, the chances are these new forms and procedures will apply to your case.
Here are some of the most common types of cases covered by the new forms.
Child-related applications, such as:
- Guardianship
- Custody and access
Maintenance, including:
- Applying for regular financial support from a parent or former partner
- Changing or enforcing an existing maintenance order
Domestic violence protection, such as:
- Safety orders
- Protection orders
- Barring orders
These areas make up more than 90% of all family law cases in the District Court. Whether you’re making a first-time application or returning to court to change or enforce an existing order, you’ll need to use the updated process.
Filing an application form
The number of copies you need to submit depends on the type of case. For maintenance or child-related applications, you must file three copies of your completed form with the court office. For domestic violence applications, only one copy is required.
Once your application is filed, the Courts Service will assign a court date and issue a Notice of Application, which includes the date and time of your hearing. For maintenance and children’s cases, the court will return two stamped copies of your form along with the notice.
It is then your responsibility to serve these documents on the other person involved in the case. This means making sure they receive the paperwork properly, following the court’s rules. If you’re unsure how to do this, a qualified family law solicitor or your local court office can advise you.
Form design and accessibility
The new family law forms are designed to be much easier to use. They are available as interactive PDF documents, which means you can fill them in on a computer or print them out and complete them by hand. Each form includes clear instructions in plain English to help guide you through the process.
Many of the forms also have helpful features like checklists, eligibility questions, and links to support services such as the Legal Aid Board or domestic violence charities. These changes aim to make the court process less intimidating, especially for people who may be representing themselves.
What legal rules support these changes?
These new forms and procedures are part of a wider update to the legal rules that guide how the District Court operates. In June 2025, two new sets of rules — known as Statutory Instruments 217 and 218 — were introduced to support this reform.
One important change is the introduction of something called a “Statement of Truth.” This replaces the need to swear an affidavit in some types of cases. Instead of going to a solicitor or commissioner for oaths, you can now confirm that the information in your application is true by signing a formal declaration. This makes the process quicker and more accessible for people who are representing themselves in court.
Need help navigating the new family law process?
These recent changes are designed to make the family court process clearer and more accessible; however, legal forms and procedures can still feel overwhelming, especially during a difficult time.
If you’re unsure about which form to use, how to file your application, or what to expect in court, our experienced family law team at McCarthy + Co Solicitors is here to help. We can guide you through the new process and ensure your case is prepared and presented correctly from the start.
Get in touch with us today by completing our quick and confidential online form.
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