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ARTICLE · 24 JUNE 2024

FHDRA – First Hearing

Stephens Scown
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The First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) is a key court appointment in family law cases. The court will identify key issues and provide directions for future case conduct, possibly involving CAFCASS officers, welfare reports, and expert assessments. It may lead to final agreements or proceed to a final hearing. Allocated typically for an hour, the hearing's timing can vary. Consulting a lawyer in advance is advisable due to the hearing's significance.

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Peter Marshall
Peter Marshall

The first hearing which takes place before the court (either in person or by Teams), is known as a FHDRA – this stands for "First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment".

What to expect at a FHDRA

Unless this appointment is simply adjourned because, for example, there is no safeguarding letter currently available, this can be one of the most important court appointments within the court process. It is here that the court will be giving consideration to what the issues are and providing directions for the future conduct of the case.

The court hearing may well be attended by the duty CAFCASS Officer to speak to or give consideration with the judge to any of the issues that might have arisen in the safeguarding letter and both parties will be given the opportunity of speaking to the judge to identify their position and expectations for the future conduct of the case.

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