The First Court Hearing (FHDRA)
The first stage in most family court proceedings is known as a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA). This is usually a relatively short hearing where the Judge considers the issues in the case and decides how it should be managed going forward.
At this stage, the Judge may:
- Identify the key matters in dispute.
- Give directions about what information or evidence needs to be prepared before the next hearing.
- Encourage the parties to reach an agreement, where appropriate.
It is common for several hearings to take place before a final decision is reached. After each hearing, the Judge will set out what you must do (called “directions”) and by when. It is important that you follow these instructions carefully and provide any documents requested on time. If you are unsure about what is required, you should raise this with the Judge or seek clarification from court staff.
Welfare Concerns and Reports
If there are concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, the Judge may request a report from CAFCASS or the local authority. This is usually called a Section 7 Report, as it is ordered under Section 7 of the Children Act 1989. The report provides the court with an independent assessment of the child’s experiences, circumstances, and needs. In some cases, the Judge may also seek the child’s views, although this is not always done directly.
Urgent Safeguarding Issues
If you are worried about the immediate safety of a child, you should:
- Contact the Police without delay.
- Inform Social Services.
- Notify CAFCASS (if they are involved) and raise the matter with the Judge at the earliest opportunity.
If the child is not in your care but you have concerns about their safety, the same steps apply. Where something urgent arises between hearings, you must take action straight away by contacting the Police and/or Social Services rather than waiting until the next court date.