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Children · the first hearing

The FHDRA: your first hearing

The FHDRA, or first hearing dispute resolution appointment, is the first court hearing in a child arrangements case[1][2]. It should ordinarily be in week 5 after the application is issued, and in week 6 at the latest[1]. A judge and a Cafcass officer try to help you agree what you can, then set out what happens next[3].

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Usual timing, after the application is issued[1]
Notice of the hearing, where practicable[4]
For the Cafcass safeguarding letter[5]
CB7 suggests arriving at least this early[6]

01/ What it is

What an FHDRA is

The first hearing dispute resolution appointment is normally the first hearing the court holds in a case about child arrangements[2]. HMCTS guide CB6 says its purpose is to try to resolve as many issues as possible, and that many cases resolve completely at that point[2].

Practice Direction 12B describes it as an opportunity for the parties to be helped to understand the issues that divide them and to reach agreement[3]. If you agree, the court can make an order reflecting that agreement, which in many cases will be a final order[3]. If you do not, the court identifies the remaining issues and gives directions for resolving them[3].

CB7 says the first hearing is quite informal and is normally held in a small hearing room, or chambers, rather than a large courtroom[6].

02/ Timing

When the FHDRA takes place

The Child Arrangements Programme says the FHDRA should ordinarily take place in week 5 after the application is issued, and in week 6 at the latest; it can be within 4 weeks if the time for serving the papers has been shortened[1]. The other parent should have at least 14 days' notice of the hearing where practicable[4]. HMCTS guide CB1 puts it at around 5 weeks after the court receives the application[10].

The court sends the date on a notice of hearing, the C6 notice, which also says how long the hearing should last and what time to arrive[6]. Where something urgent needs deciding, the gatekeeper can list an earlier hearing[11].

03/ Before the hearing

What happens before the FHDRA

Cafcass, or Cafcass Cymru in Wales, checks with the police and the local authority, and in most cases phones each parent about any safety concerns[12]. It does not speak to the children at this stage[12]. It reports to the court in a safeguarding letter within 17 working days of receiving the application, and at least 3 working days before the hearing[5].

The other parent returns Form C7, and any Form C1A, within 14 days of receiving the application[4]. By the hearing the court should have the application and any C1A, the notice of hearing, the C7 and any C1A in reply, and the safeguarding letter[3]. No evidence is filed before the FHDRA except in limited cases[13].

In some cases each party must also file Form FM5, giving their views on resolving things without court, at least 7 days before the hearing[14]. It is not needed where the domestic abuse MIAM exemption was claimed or a Form C1A has been filed[14]. See Form FM5.

Before your FHDRA

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04/ Who is there

Who is at the hearing

Every party must attend unless the court directs otherwise[19]. CB7 says the judge, legal adviser or magistrates, someone from Cafcass and a mediator (if one is available) will be there, as well as the other parent's lawyer if they have one[6].

A Cafcass officer attends every FHDRA, and where practicable speaks to each parent separately at court before the hearing, especially if the phone interview has not happened[19]. You may bring a McKenzie friend to give moral support, take notes, help with papers and quietly advise, if the court agrees[19][20]. Practice Direction 27C allows independent domestic violence and sexual violence advisers to attend[19].

05/ On the day

What happens at the FHDRA, step by step

The order varies by court, but Practice Direction 12B and CB7 describe these parts[19][21][6]:

The FHDRA is not privileged: what is said there can be referred to at later hearings[13].

  1. CB7 suggests arriving at least 30 minutes early and telling court staff you have arrived[6].

06/ Safety

If domestic abuse is raised

Practice Direction 12J says the court must consider at every stage, and specifically at the FHDRA, whether domestic abuse is raised as an issue, and if so identify the issues early[25]. Where information before the hearing, from Cafcass or a Form C1A, indicates domestic abuse, the parties must not be expected to take part in dispute resolution that is not suitable or safe[25].

If the safeguarding checks are not ready, the court should adjourn, and it should not make interim orders without them unless a child's safety needs it[13]. It must record on its order whether domestic abuse is raised as a relevant issue, and decide as soon as possible whether a fact-finding hearing is needed on disputed allegations[22]. The court decides what happened and what arrangements are safe; neither parent does[26][27]. See Form C1A and domestic abuse support.

If you do not feel safe facing the other parent in the building, the court can arrange separate waiting areas or a video link, subject to its facilities[17]. Where it is told special arrangements are needed, it must make them so far as practicable[25].

07/ Outcomes

What the court can decide at the FHDRA

If the case does not settle, these are the main routes Practice Direction 12B and Cafcass describe[24][12]:

If you agree, the court writes an order based on the agreement, called a consent order[20]. It scrutinises the agreement first, and if safeguarding work is outstanding it can adjourn for up to 28 days before making the final order[23].

08/ Your child

How your child's views are heard

At the FHDRA the court must consider the child's wishes and feelings: whether the child knows about the case, whether their views should be found out, how they will be involved, and who will tell them the outcome[24]. Options include meeting the judge, writing to the court, or having their views reported by Cafcass or a local authority[24].

The court also pays attention to the child's age and landmarks such as a birthday, starting school, or the start or end of a school term when setting the timetable[29]. Under the Children Act 1989, the child's wishes and feelings, in the light of their age and understanding, are part of the welfare checklist[27].

09/ After the FHDRA

What happens after the first hearing

Cafcass says that if the case is not resolved and the court needs more information, it is likely to be adjourned for weeks or months for a report, then listed for a dispute resolution hearing, and then, if needed, a final hearing[32]. At the DRA the court narrows the issues and considers whether the DRA can be the final hearing[28].

In April to June 2026, private law cases took 33 weeks on average from start to finish[33]. GOV.UK says getting a child arrangements order usually takes around 10 months[34]. See what happens after a C100 for the whole timetable.

10/ Different areas

If your area has a Child Focused Court

In a Child Focused Court, Cafcass or Cafcass Cymru prepares a Child Impact Report, including the child's views, before the first hearing, and that hearing focuses on the impact of the dispute on the child[35]. In March 2026 these courts operated in 10 of 43 court areas, including all of Wales[36].

11/ Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is an FHDRA?

The FHDRA, or first hearing dispute resolution appointment, is normally the first hearing in a child arrangements case; its purpose is to try to resolve as many issues as possible[2].

How long after a C100 is the FHDRA?

It should ordinarily be in week 5 after the application is issued, and in week 6 at the latest[1].

How long does an FHDRA last?

Your C6 notice of hearing says how long the hearing should last and what time to arrive[6]. If the court takes a break for you to talk, you normally see the judge again later that day, but sometimes you return on another day[20].

Do I have to attend the FHDRA?

Yes. Every party must attend unless the court directs otherwise[19].

Is what I say at the FHDRA confidential?

No. The FHDRA is not privileged, so what is said there can be referred to at later hearings[13].

Can the court make an order at the FHDRA?

Yes. If you agree, the court can make an order reflecting the agreement, often a final one[3]. If not, it can make interim orders and give directions[2][24].

Should I bring my children to the FHDRA?

Children should not generally come to court unless they are part of the process, for example meeting the judge[16].

What happens after the FHDRA?

If the case does not settle, the court may order a report, a fact-finding hearing or interim arrangements, then list a Dispute Resolution Appointment[28][32].

12/ Sources

Sources we checked

  1. Practice Direction 12B, para 14.1 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  2. A guide to words and expressions used in private children cases (CB6), PDF — HMCTS
  3. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14.8 to 14.11 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  4. Practice Direction 12B, paras 8.11–8.12 and 14.2 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  5. Practice Direction 12B, para 13.7 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  6. Guide for separated parents: children and the family courts (CB7), the first hearing — HMCTS, GOV.UK
  7. FMC MIAM Standards (Aug 2022) PDF
  8. GOV.UK — mediation · FPR r3.9
  9. FPR Part 3, r3.8(1)(d)
  10. CB1: fees, which court and the first hearing — HMCTS, GOV.UK
  11. Practice Direction 12B, paras 9.1–9.4 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  12. Overview of our involvement as you go through the court process — Cafcass
  13. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14 and 17.1 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  14. Practice Direction 3A, paras 9 and 10A to 10E — justice.gov.uk
  15. Welcome to Cafcass — Cafcass
  16. CB1: evidence and attending court — HMCTS, GOV.UK
  17. Guide for separated parents: children and the family courts (CB7), allegations of harm — HMCTS, GOV.UK
  18. Overview of our involvement with you as you go through the court process — Cafcass · Help in Planning Together for Children — Cafcass
  19. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14.4 to 14.7 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  20. Guide for separated parents: children and the family courts (CB7), reaching an agreement — HMCTS, GOV.UK
  21. Practice Direction 12B, para 14.13 (MIAM and dispute resolution) — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  22. Practice Direction 12J, paras 14 to 20 and 29 — justice.gov.uk
  23. Practice Direction 12B, para 14 (consent orders) — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  24. Practice Direction 12B, para 14.13 (wishes and feelings, case management, orders) — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  25. Practice Direction 12J, paras 5, 9 and 10 — justice.gov.uk
  26. Practice Direction 12J, paras 3, 6, 10, 25 and 36 — justice.gov.uk
  27. Children Act 1989, section 1 — legislation.gov.uk
  28. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14 and 19.1–19.3 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  29. Practice Direction 12B, paras 14.13 (reports) and 15.2 — Child Arrangements Programme, justice.gov.uk
  30. Section 7 reports — Cafcass
  31. FPR Part 3, r3.4
  32. What happens in private law proceedings — Cafcass
  33. Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026 — Ministry of Justice, GOV.UK
  34. Apply for a court order (making child arrangements) — GOV.UK
  35. A View from the President of the Family Division's Chambers, April 2026 — Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
  36. Children to get swifter justice as new family court approach expands nationally — Ministry of Justice, GOV.UK (17 March 2026)

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