Introduction

Section 32(1)(b) of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (as inserted by section 63 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015) provides that a Court may, in proceedings for custody of, access to, or guardianship of a child, appoint an expert to determine and convey the child’s views (known as a “voice of the child report”).

Section 27(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 makes similar provision in relation to an application for a domestic violence order (other than an interim/emergency remedy) where the order is sought of behalf of a child. (In the remainder of this part of the Circular, where a reference is made to a particular provision of the 1964 Act it also includes a reference to the analogous provision of the 2018 Act unless otherwise stated).