Family Court Hearing Types Explained: From FHDRA to Final Hearing
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026. Informational only — not legal advice.
Why knowing the hearing type matters
Child arrangement cases follow a standard route under the Family Procedure Rules, and each hearing has a different purpose. Knowing what the next hearing is for tells you what to prepare — turning up to a directions hearing with a full trial bundle is wasted effort, and turning up to a fact-finding without evidence is a disaster.
The typical route of a child arrangements case
1. First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA)
Usually 6–10 weeks after the C100 is issued. Purpose: identify issues, consider the Cafcass safeguarding letter, and encourage agreement. Often a Cafcass officer will try to broker a settlement before you go before the judge. Many cases end here with a consent order or interim arrangements. If not, the judge gives directions — e.g. a Section 7 report, a fact-finding hearing, or course attendance.
Prepare: your short position summary, a realistic proposals document, a diary, and questions you want raised.
2. Directions hearings / review hearings
Short administrative hearings to check progress: has the S7 report been filed? Have courses been attended? No evidence is heard. Attend, be ready to confirm compliance, and be ready to explain (honestly) anything not done.
3. Fact-finding hearing
Where serious allegations (domestic abuse, violence, coercive control, alienating behaviour) are disputed and material to welfare, the court holds a dedicated hearing to decide what actually happened — not what arrangements to make. It resembles a mini-trial:
- Witness statements filed beforehand (see the statement guide).
- Oral evidence and cross-examination.
- The judge applies the civil standard — balance of probabilities — and gives written findings.
Findings then shape the welfare analysis. A fact-finding can add months to the case.
4. Issues resolution hearing (IRH)
After reports are in, the court narrows what remains in dispute and makes a final attempt at settlement. If it settles, a final order is made; if not, the case is listed for final hearing with a time estimate.
5. Final hearing
The full determination: evidence, cross-examination of parties and the Cafcass officer, submissions, and a judgment applying the welfare checklist (Children Act 1989 s.1(3)): the child's wishes and feelings, physical/emotional/educational needs, the effect of change, age/sex/background, any harm, and each parent's capability. Orders are typically "until the child is 16" and can be varied later if circumstances change.
Other hearings you may encounter
- Interim hearing / interim arrangements — temporary contact or living arrangements while the case proceeds (now governed by the Re C (2018) principles: interim orders only where necessary for safety/welfare).
- Urgent applications — e.g. prohibited steps to prevent removal of a child; can be heard within days, sometimes without notice ("ex parte") with a full hearing shortly after.
- Remote hearings — many short hearings happen by video (Cloud Video Platform, Teams); check your notice for joining instructions.
Practical tips for any hearing
- Arrive (or log in) 30 minutes early; expect security checks and long waits.
- Dress neatly; address the judge as "Sir/Madam" (or "Your Honour" in some courts).
- Take a folder: chronology, statements, orders, key exhibits, and a one-page position summary.
- Note the judge's directions verbatim before you leave — you must comply with them.
- Support Through Court volunteers can accompany you in many courts.
How long does it all take?
Guideline aim is 26 weeks in public-law (care) cases; private-law cases typically take 6–12 months to conclude if contested, longer with fact-finding or repeated reports. Delays usually come from report backlogs and listing pressure — not your own pace, so don't add to them by missing deadlines.
Related guides
Sources: FPR 2010 Part 12 and PD12B; Children Act 1989 s.1; President of the Family Division guidance on transparent/remote courts.