About us
The Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC) makes rules of court that govern the practice and procedure followed in family proceedings in the High Court and family court.
Our responsibilities
We make clear, easily understandable rules to create an accessible, fair and efficient family justice system.
Membership
We have 17 appointed members and a chairman. There are currently no vacancies as of November 2022.
Membership is set out in section 77 of the Courts Act 2003. All non-judicial members of the committee are appointed under the terms of the Office of the Commission for Public Appointments’ code of practice.
| Name | Position | Date of appointment to post | Date Current Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rt Hon Sir Andrew McFarlane | President of the Family Division, chairman and ex officio | 27 July 2018 | Not applicable |
| The Honourable Mr Justice Michael Keehan | High Court Judge | 13 February 2023 | 12 February 2026 |
| The Rt Hon Lord Justice Jonathan Baker | Court of Appeal Judge | 27 May 2022 | 26 May 2025 |
| The Honourable Mr Justice Robert Peel | High Court Judge | 14 March 2023 | 13 March 2026 |
| Her Honour Judge Katherine Suh | Circuit Judge | 9 December 2023 | 8 December 2026 |
| His Honour Judge Gareth Humphreys | Circuit Judge - Judge of the family court who sits primarily or exclusively in Wales | 1 August 2024 | 1 August 2027 |
| District Judge Teresa Foss | District Judge | 29 March 2023 | 28 March 2026 |
| District Judge Dewinder Birk | District Judge (County Court) | 1 August 2022 | 31 July 2025 |
| District Judge William Nelson | District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) | 13 February 2024 | 12 February 2027 |
| Jennifer Kingsley JP | Lay Magistrate | 13 February 2024 | 12 February 2027 |
| Helen Sewell | Legal Advisor | 30 September 2024 | 29 September 2027 |
| Poonam Bhari | Barrister | 1 March 2021 (re-appointed) | 29 Feb 2027 |
| Rhys Taylor | Barrister | 1 March 2021 (re-appointed) | 29 Feb 2027 |
| Laura Coyle | Solicitor | 1 August 2023 | 1 August 2026 |
| Graeme Fraser | Solicitor | 1 March 2021 (re-appointed) | 29 Feb 2027 |
| Shabana Jaffar | Children and Family Court Advisory and Support (CAFCASS) | 4 December 2023 | 3 December 2026 |
| Rob Edwards | Children and Family Court Advisory and Support (CAFCASS CYMRU) | 1 March 2018 | 28 February 2024 |
| Bill Turner | Lay Member | 4 November 2019 (re-appointed 4 Nov 2022) | 3 November 2025 |