[Solved] What happens at the 2nd child arrangement hearing?

Hi

It's changed a lot since I had my case, so I'm rather rusty. Have you read the 'representing yourself' guides at the top of the legal eagle section?

Hi there, it will depend on the recommendations of the S7 report and what the judge decides should happen next.

It won't look favourably on the mother if she refuses to speak with Cafcass and there is always a danger this could delay things. I would keep in touch with the officer writing the report as the deadlines approach.

If the mother still refuses to agree to contact, depending on the S7, they could order some interim contact and you may well end up with a fully contested final hearing with both parties putting their case forward.

There are some excellent videos and a book by Lucy Reed that might be worth looking at

http://www.nofamilylawyer.co.uk/

http://www.nofamilylawyer.co.uk/going-to-court-videos.html

You could always see if you have a Families Need Fathers branch meeting in your local area where you could both attend to get extra help and support;

http://www.fnf.org.uk/help-and-support-2/local-branch-meetings

They also have an excellent helpline you can call.

Good luck to you all 🙂

If at your first hearing, a section 7 was ordered, the judge will be wanting to see the content of that before he/she makes further directions. So in essence your next hearing is going to be 2nd directions hearing.

In my own case, at the 2nd directions hearing stage, the s7 was in and cafcass had recommended unsupervised contact between myself and my son. The ex still would not agree to this, so the only option left to the judge where contact could not be agreed by consent, and no evidence had been heard, was to order a trial.

So he listed the case for a contested hearing without a fact find hearing i.e it was not a split trial.

In your case, with the way the ex is carrying, I would suspect that you will be heading to a contested hearing/trial unless agreement for contact can be agreed at the 2nd hearing.

It's a shame that things have to go this far, but this is the stage where things really heat up and you have to be on your a game.

Don't worry if thats what the judge decides, you will get good support and advice here from people.

My final hearing is fresh in my mind still, so I can guide you through a lot of what will happen and how to prepare 🙂

Simon.

I'm also about to go to my second hearing, a section 7 report has been ordered by the court, on both myself and my ex partner, but I have been called into the Cafcass office, before the second hearing.

I thought this was strange, I'm not too sure what's going to happen, but have been allocated a 1.5 hour time slot. I've read articles in some cases that your ex partner will be there with your child to see interaction etc... as our child is only 3yrs old.

I hope all goes well for you.

hi,

my 2nd hearing was about the outcome of the S7 report. a DRA (dispute resolution appointment) - and where the judges basically do not get involved and dont make any directions, but can give a 'view'. what a joke! that has to be the worse aspect of the hearings. A DRA where the ex just comes in and stares at the ceiling, in order to waste your time and make you pay more legal fees for a 3rd hearing. DRA needs to wiped off the map.

I wouldn’t worry about attending at the office, if you’re unsure about what to expect, you could give the reporting officer a call about the procedure.

Best of luck