Your FHDRA is listed. You have never been to family court before. You are probably feeling anxious, unsure what to expect, and wondering whether you will say the wrong thing. This guide tells you exactly what happens, step by step, so you can walk in prepared.
At McKenzie Friend London, we attend FHDRAs regularly with clients across London and England. This guide is based on what actually happens in court — not what the textbooks say should happen.
What Does FHDRA Stand For?
FHDRA stands for First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment. It is the first court hearing in most private law children cases after you file a C100 application. The court will usually list it within 4 to 6 weeks of your application being issued.
Despite the long name, the purpose is straightforward. The court wants to do three things at this hearing: identify what the parents agree on and what they disagree on, explore whether the dispute can be resolved without further hearings, and if it cannot, give directions for what happens next.
An FHDRA is not a trial. The judge will not hear evidence, make findings of fact, or decide who is telling the truth. It is a case management hearing with a strong emphasis on settlement.
Who Will Be in the Room
Understanding who is present helps reduce the anxiety of walking into court for the first time.
The judge reads the papers before the hearing and will ask questions of both parties. In some courts, this may be a district judge. In magistrates’ courts, it may be magistrates with a legal adviser. The judge’s role is to identify the issues, encourage agreement, and give directions.
A Cafcass officer will usually be present. Cafcass is the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. They will have already spoken to both parents by telephone and prepared a safeguarding letter for the court. The Cafcass officer may speak to you before the hearing and may offer a recommendation to the judge.
You and the other parent. Both must attend. If either parent has a solicitor or barrister, they will also be present.
Your McKenzie Friend, if you have one. They sit beside you, take notes, help you find documents, and quietly advise. They cannot address the judge unless granted a right of audience.
What Happens Before the Hearing
Arrive at the court at least 30 minutes early. Go through security, find the correct courtroom or waiting area, and check the court notice board or screen for your case listing.
The Cafcass officer may approach you before the hearing begins. They may want to discuss the safeguarding letter or explore whether there is any scope for agreement. Be polite, be calm, and focus on the children — this is not the time to vent about the other parent.
If the other parent has a solicitor, that solicitor may approach you to discuss settlement. You do not have to agree to anything on the spot. It is perfectly acceptable to say you need time to consider any proposal.
If you have prepared a position statement (and you should — see below), give copies to the court usher, the Cafcass officer, and the other party.
What Happens During the Hearing
The hearing typically lasts between 30 minutes and one hour.
The judge will start by summarising what they understand the case to be about, based on the C100, any C1A, and the Cafcass safeguarding letter. The judge will then ask the Cafcass officer for their assessment and any recommendations.
Each party will be asked to set out their position. If you have filed a position statement, the judge may say they have read it and ask whether you have anything to add. Keep any oral submissions brief — the judge has already read your document.
The judge will explore what is agreed. Can both parents accept that the child should have a relationship with both of them? Can they agree on any specific arrangements, even partially?
The judge will then address what is not agreed and consider what steps are needed to resolve the dispute.
What the Judge Wants to Hear
This is the part most litigants in person get wrong. The judge wants to hear four things, in this order.
First, what is agreed between the parents. Even one sentence of common ground helps: “Both parties agree that the children should have a meaningful relationship with both parents.” Starting with agreement shows the judge you are reasonable and cooperative.
Second, what specific arrangements you propose. Not “I want to see my children more” — the court cannot make an order based on that. Instead: “I propose that the children spend every other weekend with me from Friday at 4pm to Sunday at 6pm, and every Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm.” If it cannot be written into a court order, it is not specific enough.
Third, why your proposal is in the children’s best interests. Frame everything through the welfare checklist under section 1(3) of the Children Act 1989: the children’s wishes and feelings, their physical and emotional needs, the effect of any change, any risk of harm, and each parent’s capability.
Fourth, what orders you are asking the court to make. Be precise. Have a primary order you want and a fallback position — for example, “If the court is not ready to make a final order today, I ask for an interim order for contact to resume while a section 7 report is prepared.”
What the Judge Does Not Want to Hear
A 20-minute speech about how terrible the other parent is. Attacks on the other parent’s character without relevant evidence. Your feelings about how unfair the situation is. A demand for “custody” — the family court does not use that word. Vague requests like “I just want what’s fair.”
The strongest impression you can make at an FHDRA is to be prepared, specific, child-focused, and willing to compromise.
The Cafcass Safeguarding Letter
Before the FHDRA, Cafcass will contact both parents by telephone to conduct safeguarding checks. They also carry out police and local authority database checks. The results are summarised in a safeguarding letter sent to the court and both parties, usually a few days before the hearing.
The safeguarding letter is a preliminary screening document — it is not a detailed welfare assessment. It is based on a short phone call with each parent and background checks. If it contains errors, you can correct them at the hearing.
If you have not received the safeguarding letter before the hearing, ask the court usher or the Cafcass officer for a copy when you arrive. Read it carefully. If it contains factual inaccuracies, address them in your position statement or raise them politely with the judge: “The safeguarding letter states at paragraph 3 that I have not had contact since June. That is not accurate — contact continued until December, as evidenced by the text messages in my bundle.”
If the Cafcass officer recommends something you disagree with, explain why to the judge and propose an alternative. The recommendation is influential but not binding — the judge makes the decision.
Every Possible Outcome
An FHDRA can result in several different outcomes, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Consent order. Both parents reach an agreement and the court records it as a binding order. This is the best possible outcome — your case is resolved at the first hearing. It happens in roughly 20 to 30 per cent of cases.
Interim order. The court makes temporary arrangements while the case continues. This is common where contact has broken down and needs to resume immediately while the court gathers more information.
Direction for a section 7 report. The court orders Cafcass to prepare a detailed welfare report with recommendations. This is the most common outcome when the case cannot be resolved at the first hearing. A section 7 report typically takes 12 to 16 weeks.
Direction for a fact-finding hearing. If there are contested allegations of domestic abuse in the C1A, the court may list a hearing to determine whether the alleged events occurred. This happens before the court can make welfare decisions.
Direction for further evidence. The court may order drug or alcohol testing, a psychological assessment, or other expert evidence if there are specific concerns about a parent’s capacity.
Listed for a DRA. A Dispute Resolution Appointment — another attempt at settlement, usually after a section 7 report has been received.
Listed for a final hearing. If the case cannot settle, the court will list it for a contested hearing where both parties give evidence and the judge makes a final decision. This is the last resort.
How to Prepare: Your Checklist
Preparation is the single biggest advantage you can give yourself at an FHDRA. A well-prepared litigant in person will outperform an unprepared one every time.
Documents to prepare:
- A position statement (2 to 4 pages) setting out what is agreed, what is not agreed, your specific proposals, and the orders you seek
- A chronology of key events in date order
- A copy of your C100 application and any C1A
- A copy of any existing court orders
- The Cafcass safeguarding letter (read it carefully and note any corrections)
On the day:
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early
- Dress in smart business attire — no jeans or trainers
- Bring a notepad and pen for taking notes during the hearing
- Phone on silent — recording in court is a criminal offence
- Know exactly what orders you want (primary and fallback)
- Be prepared for the Cafcass officer and the other party’s solicitor to approach you before the hearing
During the hearing:
- Stand when the judge enters and leaves
- Address the judge as “Sir” or “Madam” in the Family Court
- Speak only when invited to
- Keep your submissions brief and child-focused
- Take notes of everything the judge says, especially directions and deadlines
After the hearing:
- Write down every direction and deadline immediately
- Put all deadlines in your calendar
- If a section 7 report was ordered, prepare for the Cafcass interview
The Mistake That Costs People the Most
Arriving without a position statement. The judge has no document to read. You are asked to explain your case verbally under pressure and you forget half your points. The other parent’s barrister hands up a crisp, well-structured position statement and you have nothing.
A position statement takes an evening to prepare and it changes the entire dynamic of your hearing. The judge reads it before you say a word. It frames the issues on your terms. It shows the court you are organised, prepared, and serious.
Need Help Preparing?
Our FHDRA Preparation Pack (£39.99) includes everything in this guide and more — a position statement template purpose-built for FHDRAs, a worked example, a Cafcass safeguarding letter guide, a quick reference table of every order you can ask for, a chronology template, a pre-hearing checklist, and a sheet covering the 10 mistakes that cost people at the FHDRA. 8 professional documents, instant download.
If you just need the position statement template, our Position Statement Template Pack (£14.99) includes an editable template, 3 worked examples, and detailed guidance notes.
Browse all our templates and hearing packs at mckenziefriendlondon.co.uk/resources.
Need one-to-one help? Book a free initial consultation — call 07958 361168 or email alex@mckenziefriendlondon.co.uk.
This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Alex Williams-Odonkor is a McKenzie Friend and LLB law student, not a solicitor or barrister. Every case is different — seek independent legal advice if you are unsure about any aspect of your case.