Public law applications
There were 6,389 children involved in new public law applications, down 4% on a year earlier, while the number of applications decreased by 4%. Care applications made up two-thirds of public law cases. Annual figures show the number of public law applications and children have declined in the past decade.
Resolving cases
While the number of public law orders dispersed (resolved) has fallen slightly in the past decade. The most recent annual figures for disposed cases show there were 22,703 care proceedings cases disposed of in 2021, around 10% more than in 2020. The average disposal time was 40 weeks, a quarter higher than pre-pandemic levels. Less than a quarter of cases were disposed within the 26 weeks target compared with 60% in 2016.
Adoption orders
During October to December 2023, there were 1,115 adoption applications made, up 15% from the equivalent quarter in 2022. Over the same period, the number of adoption orders issued decreased by 2% to 1,050, continuing a long-term decline. During 2023, there were 4,279 adoption applications made, up 24% from 2022, and 4,166 adoption orders issued, up 4%. During October to December 2023, 57% of all adoption orders were issued to mixed-sex couples, 18% to sole applicants, 14% to same-sex couples and 10% to step parents.
DoL orders
The High Court has the power to make deprivation of liberty orders (DoL) for children under the age of 18. There were 289 applications for this purpose in October to December 2023, handling the same number of children. Most of these children were teenagers; 57% aged between 13 and 15 and 31% aged 16 to 18 years. The use of DoL orders has risen sharply in recent years.
Domestic violence
In October to December 2023, there was a 6% decrease in domestic violence remedy applications made compared to the equivalent quarter in 2022. The number of orders made decreased by 8% over the same period. The overall picture highlights a longer-term increase in the number of applications, with the number of applications in the latest quarter almost double those made since 2011.
Forced marriage
The number of applications and orders made for forced marriage protection orders (FMPOs) is very small but have grown since their introduction in November 2008. In October to December 2023, there were 73 applications, of which 79% were for people aged 17 and under. Over the same period, there were 84 orders made, down 15% since the same period from the previous year. In 2023, 287 applications were made for FMPOs, up 7% from 2022. There were 414 orders made, up 20% on a year earlier.
