How long after C100 is the first hearing?

The First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) typically takes place 4–6 weeks after the C100 is submitted, though this varies by court area and case urgency.

What does Cafcass do after a C100?

After a C100 is submitted, Cafcass conducts police records checks and local authority checks on both parents, makes brief phone calls to both parties, and prepares a safeguarding letter for the first hearing. This process is completed within 4 weeks of the application being filed.

How much does a C100 form cost?

The court fee for submitting a C100 form is £263. This is the current fee under the Children Act 1989 as set out in the GOV.UK Family Court Fees schedule (EX50). If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you may qualify for fee remission using Form EX160.

Can the case settle at the first hearing after C100?

Yes, many cases settle at the FHDRA. The judge and Cafcass officer actively encourage agreement between parties. If both parents reach agreement, a consent order can be made on the same day, concluding the case in as little as 4–6 weeks from the C100 submission.

What Happens After C100 Form Submitted? 2026 Guide

4-8 Weeks

To First Hearing

Cafcass

Contacts You

FHDRA

First Hearing

Settlement

Encouraged

Content verified: May 2026 (Q2 2026)

What happens after a C100 form is submitted? The court acknowledges receipt within 2-3 days, sends copies to the other party, and lists a first hearing (FHDRA) within 12-26 weeks. Cafcass conducts safeguarding checks and files a safeguarding letter within 17 working days.

What Happens After a C100 Form is Submitted: Key Timeline

Key steps after a C100 form is submitted:

Court acknowledgment: 2-3 working days
Copies to respondent: 5-7 working days
Cafcass safeguarding letter: 17 working days
First hearing (FHDRA): 12-26 weeks
Safeguarding checks: Throughout process

Understanding what happens after a C100 form is submitted helps you prepare for each stage.

Cost penalties for refusing mediation (in force 2024)

Following the April 2024 Family Procedure Rules amendments and Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil CBC [2023], courts can now stay proceedings to allow non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) without parties' consent, and may depart from the usual "no order as to costs" position where parties have unreasonably failed to engage in NCDR. Source: Practice Direction 3A.

What Happens After a C100 Form is Submitted?

When you submit your C100 form (either online or by post), the family court begins processing your application immediately. Here's exactly what happens after a C100 form is submitted:

1. Court Receipt and Acknowledgment (2-3 days)

The court receives your C100 application and fee payment
Court staff review for completeness and MIAM compliance
You receive an acknowledgment letter with your case number
The case is allocated to a family judge

2. Court Serves the Other Party (5-7 days)

The court posts copies of your application to the other parent (respondent)
The respondent receives Form C1A if you've alleged domestic abuse
They have 14 days to complete Form C7 (acknowledgment) and return it
The court may attempt service by email if postal service fails

3. Cafcass Safeguarding Letter (17 working days)

Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) automatically becomes involved in what happens after a C100 form is submitted. Following initial gatekeeping, Cafcass is directed to file a safeguarding letter within 17 working days (Combined Allocation & Gatekeeping Guidance, March 2026). The letter is filed at least three days before the first hearing and informs the FHDRA decision.

They will:

Send you both a "safeguarding letter" requesting information
Ask about any concerns for your children's safety and wellbeing
Conduct police and local authority checks on both parents
Contact previous partners if relevant to safeguarding

You must respond to Cafcass within the deadline given (usually 2 weeks). Your response is crucial to what happens after a C100 form is submitted.

Child Focused Courts (Pathfinder)

If your case is in a Pathfinder/Child Focused Court area (Dorset, North Wales, South East Wales, Birmingham, Mid and West Wales, West Yorkshire), the process differs. A Case Progression Officer reviews the application, and a Child Impact Report (CIR) is filed by Cafcass or the local authority instead of the standard FHDRA pathway. The Pathfinder pilot expanded to West Yorkshire from 3 June 2025 (PD36Z).

4. Possible Cafcass Contact (2-8 weeks)

Cafcass may telephone you for additional information
In complex cases, they may visit your home
They might speak to your children (usually aged 9+) about their wishes
A Cafcass officer will be assigned to prepare a safeguarding report

The First Hearing After C100 Submission: FHDRA (12-26 weeks)

A key part of what happens after a C100 form is submitted is the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA). This is not a trial - it's a case management hearing.

What happens after C100 form submitted court hearing

What Happens at the FHDRA:

Duration: Usually 30-45 minutes
Purpose: Explore whether agreement can be reached without trial
Attendance: Both parents must attend (usually by video link post-COVID)
Cafcass: The assigned officer attends and advises the judge
Documentation: Cafcass provides a safeguarding report to the court

FHDRA Outcomes After C100 Submission:

The judge may make several orders:

Consent Order: If you reach agreement at the hearing
Interim Contact: Temporary arrangements while the case continues
Further Hearings: If more time/evidence is needed
Case Closure: If the application is withdrawn or resolved

Updated Timeline After C100 Submission

| Stage | Timing After C100 | |-------|-------------------| | Court processes application | 1-2 weeks | | Respondent served | 1-3 weeks | | Cafcass safeguarding letter | 17 working days | | FHDRA (first hearing) | 4-8 weeks | | Cafcass Section 7 report (if directed) | 12-16 weeks | | Dispute Resolution Appointment | 4-7 months | | Final hearing (if needed) | 6-12+ months |

From Family Court Statistics 2025-26

Practice Direction 12J Updates (5 January 2026)

For cases involving domestic abuse allegations, courts must now undertake a risk assessment when ordering interim contact for a child residing in a refuge. The terminology has been updated to replace "honour-based violence" with "honour-based abuse" and courts now focus on "holistic assessment of allegations including any pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour" rather than Scott Schedules.

Court Fees After C100 Form is Submitted

What happens after C100 form submitted fees

You must pay the court fee when submitting your C100:

| Application Type | Fee | Remission Available | |------------------|-----|-------------------| | C100 (Child Arrangements) | £263 | Yes (form EX160) | | Urgent/without notice | £1,090 | Limited | | Fee remission | £0 | If eligible |

Fee Remission After C100 Submission

You may not have to pay if:

You receive certain benefits (Universal Credit, JSA, etc.)
Your monthly income is below £1,170 (single) or £1,630 (couple)
You have less than £3,000 in savings

Apply using form EX160 when you submit your C100.

Timeline: What Happens After a C100 Form is Submitted

Current waiting times vary significantly by court:

Simple cases: 4-8 months from application to final order
Complex cases: 12-18 months or longer
Emergency applications: 1-7 days for urgent hearings
Cases involving allegations: Often take 12+ months

Factors affecting what happens after a C100 form is submitted:

Whether you reach agreement at FHDRA
Need for expert reports (social workers, psychologists)
Court availability in your area
Compliance with court directions

Court delays

Family courts currently have significant backlogs following COVID-19. Many courts are scheduling first hearings 20+ weeks after application. Understanding what happens after a C100 form is submitted helps manage expectations.

Navigating What Happens After C100?

Speak with Miam to prepare for hearings and understand your options, including returning to mediation.

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