Last updated: June 2026
by Jess Knauf, Co-Founder, Family Law Service, 1st June 2026.
Quick Summary
- The FHDRA is the first hearing in child arrangements proceedings, usually held 4 to 6 weeks after you submit a C100 form.
- It is short, often 30 to 60 minutes, and the focus is on identifying issues and trying to reach agreement, not deciding the case.
- Cafcass will normally have completed safeguarding checks and submitted a short letter to the court before the hearing.
- If you reach agreement, the court can make a final consent order on the day. If not, the judge will set directions for the next steps.
- You can attend without a solicitor. Many parents prepare a position statement and bring written notes to feel ready.
FHDRA
The FHDRA (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment) is the opening hearing in any child arrangements court case in England and Wales. Its job is to identify the issues between parents, check safeguarding concerns flagged by Cafcass, and explore whether agreement can be reached without further hearings. Most last under an hour and many cases are resolved or significantly narrowed at this stage.
If you have a date for your FHDRA, you probably want one thing: to know exactly what is going to happen when you walk into that courtroom. That is what this guide is for. Before we get into the detail of the hearing itself, it is worth quickly checking whether you have considered all the options outside court, because in some cases the judge will still encourage parents to step back and try to resolve matters another way, even on the day of the hearing.
For now though, let’s assume you are going. Here is what to expect, step by step, so that when your name is called you know what is coming and how to handle it.
What is an FHDRA?
The FHDRA, or First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment, is the first court appointment after one parent has applied for a child arrangements order using the C100 form. It is set under the Child Arrangements Programme, which is part of the Family Procedure Rules (Practice Direction 12B).
The clue is in the name: it is a dispute resolution appointment. The court’s first job is to see whether parents can reach agreement themselves, with help from the judge and a Cafcass officer. It is not a final hearing and no evidence is given on oath. Nobody is being cross-examined. The judge will not be making a final ruling on contact unless both parents agree to one.
When does the FHDRA happen?
Once the court receives a valid C100 application, the first hearing family court date is usually listed for around 4 to 6 weeks later. In busier courts you may wait longer. You will receive a notice of hearing with the date, time, court address, and case number. Both parents (and any other named respondents) will get the same notice.
What Happens Before the FHDRA?
A surprising amount happens in the weeks between filing the C100 and the hearing itself. Knowing this background helps the day make sense.
Cafcass safeguarding checks
Before the FHDRA, Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) will carry out safeguarding checks on both parents. They will:
- Run police and local authority checks: to see whether either parent is known to social services or has relevant convictions.
- Telephone both parents: a short call, usually 20 to 40 minutes, asking about your reasons for applying, any concerns about the other parent, and what you are hoping to achieve.
- Send a safeguarding letter to the court: a short report (usually 3 to 5 pages) summarising what they found. Both parents and the judge will see this before the hearing.
If Cafcass raise serious concerns, for example allegations of domestic abuse or risk to the child, the case will be treated differently and the judge will want to address those issues at the FHDRA. If the C100 was filed alongside a Form C1A setting out allegations of harm, the court will treat the case as a fact-finding matter and may set a separate hearing to deal with those allegations.
Position statements
It is not compulsory but most parents (and almost all legal representatives) prepare a written position statement. This is a short document, usually 2 to 4 pages, that tells the judge your side of the story, what you are asking for, and why. It is filed with the court and shared with the other parent before the hearing. A clear position statement saves time on the day and helps the judge understand what is actually in dispute.
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On the Day: What Happens at the FHDRA Itself
Here is the realistic timeline of an FHDRA from the moment you arrive at the court building.
Step 1: Arrival and security
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your listed time. You will go through airport-style security at the entrance. Bring photo ID, your hearing notice, and any documents you have prepared. Once through, check the daily list (usually on a screen or noticeboard) to find which court your case is in.
Step 2: Meeting the Cafcass officer
A Cafcass Family Court Adviser is normally present on the day. Before the hearing starts, they often speak to each parent separately, then together if it is safe to do so. They will:
- Check whether anything has changed since the safeguarding letter
- Explore whether agreement might be possible
- Help identify the real issues in dispute
- Report back to the judge before the hearing
If there are safety concerns, you will not be expected to meet face to face. Tell court staff or the Cafcass officer in advance if you need separate waiting areas, screens, or a remote attendance link.
Step 3: Going into court
The hearing itself usually takes place in front of a District Judge or a panel of lay magistrates with a Legal Adviser. The room is fairly informal. Robes and wigs are not worn in family hearings. Everyone sits at desks and the judge faces the parents and any solicitors or barristers.
The judge will normally:
- Confirm who everyone is: applicant, respondent, any legal representatives, the Cafcass officer.
- Summarise the application: what the applicant is asking for in plain terms.
- Read the safeguarding letter aloud or refer to its key points.
- Ask each parent what they want and what they object to.
- Identify the issues that need resolving and whether they can be agreed today.
Step 4: Trying to reach agreement
This is the heart of the FHDRA. The judge will actively try to help parents agree. They may suggest a break for parents (and their representatives) to talk in the corridor or a side room. The Cafcass officer often helps with this. Many cases settle here, either fully or in part.
If you reach agreement, the judge can record it as a consent order on the day. That ends the case and means you do not need to come back.
“Parents arrive at the FHDRA expecting a battle and leave with a workable agreement. The judge is not your enemy. Their first job is to help you settle, not to decide for you. The parents who do best are the ones who arrive clear on what they actually want, what they can live with, and which points genuinely matter for the child.”
Jess Knauf, Co-Founder, Family Law Service
Step 5: If no agreement is reached
If agreement is not possible, the judge will make directions for the next steps. Common directions include:
- A section 7 report from Cafcass: a fuller welfare report, usually taking 8 to 16 weeks.
- A fact-finding hearing: if there are disputed allegations of abuse or harm.
- Written statements: each parent files a statement setting out their case.
- An interim order: temporary arrangements for the child while the case continues.
- A Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA): a second hearing later in the process to try again to settle.
The judge will list the next hearing date and confirm what each parent needs to do, and by when. You will get a sealed order in writing within a few days.
Need Help Preparing for Your FHDRA?
A solid position statement and a proper court prep meeting can change how your hearing goes. We offer both as fixed-fee services, with no surprise costs.
How Long Does an FHDRA Last?
Most FHDRAs are listed for 30 to 60 minutes. In busy lists, you may wait several hours before being called in. The hearing itself is usually short, but discussion time outside court (with the Cafcass officer or to try to reach agreement) can take much longer. Block out the whole day if you can.
Who Will Be There?
- The judge or magistrates: a District Judge in most cases, or a bench of magistrates with a Legal Adviser.
- Both parents: known as the applicant and the respondent.
- A Cafcass Family Court Adviser: usually present, sometimes by phone or video.
- Solicitors or barristers: if either parent has legal representation.
- A court usher and clerk: to manage the list and take notes.
- McKenzie friends: a supportive non-lawyer can attend with you if the judge allows.
Children do not attend the FHDRA. Family hearings are also private, so members of the public cannot come in.
How to Prepare for Your First Hearing
Practical preparation matters more than legal jargon. Here is what helps in practice for your first hearing family court appointment:
1. Know what you want
Be specific. “I want more contact” is too vague. “I want every other weekend from Friday after school to Sunday evening, plus half of school holidays” is something the court can actually order.
2. Know what you can live with
Have a fallback position. If the other parent will not agree to your first ask, what is the next best option you can accept? Going in with some flexibility makes settlement far more likely.
3. Prepare a short position statement
Two to three pages, focused on what you want, why it works for the child, and what you are willing to agree to. Send it to the court and the other parent at least 24 hours before the hearing.
4. Bring documents you might need
- A copy of your C100 application
- The Cafcass safeguarding letter
- Your position statement
- School timetables or shift patterns to help with practical scheduling
- Photo ID
5. Think about how you will speak
Address the judge as “Sir” or “Madam” (or “Your Honour” for a Circuit Judge). Keep your answers short. Focus on the child, not on the other parent’s faults. Avoid getting drawn into arguments in court, the judge will steer the conversation.
Common Outcomes at the FHDRA
Every case is different but these are the most common outcomes of a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment:
- Full consent order: parents agree on all issues and the case ends today.
- Partial agreement and directions: parents agree on some points, the court sets directions to deal with the rest.
- Adjournment for mediation or further negotiation: where the judge thinks more time outside court might resolve matters.
- Section 7 report ordered: Cafcass to investigate and report on welfare.
- Fact-finding hearing listed: where disputed allegations need to be decided.
- Interim contact order: temporary arrangements while the case continues.
Case study: Sam and Priya
Sam applied on a C100 after two years of inconsistent weekend contact with his daughter. He came to us 10 days before the hearing, worried he would lose his temper if the other parent denied things in front of the judge. We helped him draft a position statement focused on a clear weekly schedule and prepared him through a court prep meeting. At the FHDRA, the Cafcass officer brokered a short corridor conversation. By the time they went back into court, Sam and his ex had agreed on alternate weekends and a midweek call. The judge made it into a consent order on the day. No second hearing, no section 7 report.
Do I Need a Solicitor for the FHDRA?
Legally, no. Many parents represent themselves at the FHDRA, particularly since the cuts to legal aid in 2013. The judge is used to litigants in person and will explain things in plain English.
In practice, the difference is preparation. A well-prepared parent representing themselves often does as well as one with a solicitor. A poorly prepared one struggles. This is the gap we try to fill: practical help with the documents, the position statement and a structured walk-through of what to expect, without the cost of full solicitor representation. Our court prep meeting and child arrangements services are designed for this.
You may still want to get a one-off hour of legal advice on child arrangements if the case has unusual issues, for example international relocation, allegations of harm, or parental alienation claims.
Summary
The FHDRA is your court’s first attempt to resolve a child arrangements case without a contested hearing. Cafcass will have done safeguarding checks, the judge will read a short letter from them, and both parents will be asked what they want. Most hearings last under an hour. A genuine effort to settle, supported by a clear position statement and a calm head, often ends the case there and then.
If agreement is not possible, the judge sets directions: usually a section 7 report, written statements, and a further hearing. Either way, walking in knowing what to expect makes a real difference. Preparation is the single biggest factor in how your first hearing family court appointment is likely to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after filing a C100 is the FHDRA?
Most FHDRAs are listed for 4 to 6 weeks after the C100 is accepted by the court, though busier courts can take longer. You will receive a notice of hearing with the exact date and time.
Will the judge make a final decision at the FHDRA?
Usually not. The FHDRA focuses on identifying issues and exploring agreement. The judge will only make a final order if both parents agree (a consent order). Otherwise, directions are set for the next hearing.
What should I wear to an FHDRA?
Smart but not formal. A shirt or blouse with trousers or a skirt is fine. You do not need a suit. The aim is to show respect for the court without overdoing it.
Can I attend the FHDRA remotely?
Sometimes. Many courts offer video hearings via the Cloud Video Platform (CVP), particularly where there are safety concerns or one parent is unable to attend in person. Ask the court in advance.
What if my ex does not turn up?
The court can proceed in their absence if they were properly served with notice. The judge may make directions or even an order if it is appropriate. More often, the case is adjourned and the absent parent ordered to attend the next hearing.
Can I bring a friend or family member?
A supportive friend can come into the court building and may sit in the public area outside. To come into the hearing itself, they would need to act as a McKenzie friend, and the judge has to give permission.
What happens if there are allegations of domestic abuse?
The court will consider whether a fact-finding hearing is needed, separate waiting areas and screens, and what (if any) contact should happen in the meantime. Tell Cafcass and the court about safety concerns as early as possible.
Is the FHDRA the same as a final hearing?
No. The FHDRA is the first step. A final hearing only happens if the case cannot be resolved earlier and full evidence (including witness statements and cross-examination) needs to be heard.
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