In February 2013, the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) received a total of 3,998 new private law cases. This is a 5% increase on February 2012 levels.
From April 2012 onwards:
- Between April 2012 and February 2013 Cafcass received a total of 41,939 new private law cases. This figure shows an increase of 10.8% (4,072 cases) from the 37,867 cases received in the same period last year.
- October 2012 was the highest individual month ever recorded, with 4,369 cases.
April 2011-March 2012:
- During 2011-12, Cafcass received 41,827 new private law cases.
- This figure shows a decrease of 4.1% (1,803 cases) from the 43,630 cases received in 2010-11.
- In the first quarter demand fell sharply, in part due to the implementation of Practice Direction 3A of the Family Procedure Rules 2010, the aim of which is to resolve less complex cases away from the courts, through Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings.
- In the second half of 2011-12 new case demand had returned to and exceeded previous levels, with case demand in November, December, January, and February being the highest ever recorded by Cafcass for those individual months at that time.
