Petitioners to be truthful; Chinese Tiger judgment; & getting rid of the judge
AT THE FAMILY COALFACE
The Family Procedure (Amendment No 2) Rules 2017 (SI 2017/741) come into force on 7 August 2017.
Truth development There’s good reason for a FPR 17 statement of truth (SoT) and it has nothing to do with condemning the LiP to ponder what the hell it is. Proceedings for contempt may be brought against a person who makes a false statement in a document which is verified by a SoT without an honest belief in its contents (r 17.6). Curiously, a SoT has not been required to back up the lies, exaggerations and honesty (as the case may be) in a matrimonial or civil partnership petition or answer although the subsequent supporting statement on the application for a decree has required one. That changes for a petition or answer filed on or after 7 August 2017 although these latest amendment rules perform a summersault by providing that if the petition or answer are filed before 4 September 2017 without a SoT then it will be accepted.
Thou shalt