Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Standard orders definition

What does Standard orders mean? In practice, standard orders (standard form orders) are pre-drafted, judiciary‑approved templates for common court orders, used to promote consistency, accuracy and efficiency in drafting and sealing. In England and Wales, the term usually refers to the Standard Family Orders (SFOs) issued by the President of the Family Division and published on the judiciary website. Their use is strongly encouraged in the Family Court and Family Division of the High Court. Judges retain discretion to adapt or depart from them. The SFOs cover, among other areas, children cases, financial remedies, enforcement, committal/contempt and case management. They are periodically updated to reflect the...

Private law children: standard orders, house rules, FPR guidance and updates (2023–2024) in England and Wales; PLCO forms; port alert orders (A v B)

Published by a LexisNexis Family expert

Practice notes

Private children standard orders Practice Note

This Practice Note outlines, and provides access to, private children standard orders issued by the standard orders group with the authority of the President of the Family Division, together with directions on issue and allocation, at the first hearing dispute resolution appointment (FHDRA) and dispute resolution appointment (DRA), plus case management and final orders. The orders encompass, among other areas, proceedings for child arrangements orders, specific issue and prohibited steps orders, parental responsibility, guardianship and special guardianship, enforcement of orders, and temporary leave to remove...

On 17 May 2023, Mr Justice Peel, the judge in charge of standard orders, announced that, with the President’s authority and following a review and consultation, the standard orders were updated to reflect developments in law, practice and procedure and to secure consistency. See: LNB News 17/05/2023 88. On the same date, Peel J also released updated house rules to be read alongside the standard orders. The house rules set out:

the content of the orders, including recitals (paras 3–7)
the format of the orders including, inter alia, font size, spacing and numbering that is required (paras 8–16)
the language to

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Web page updated on 28/05/2026

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