First court hearing - haven’t received details

[1980north]

I have recently received a welcome Cafcass letter informing me of their involvement in my court proceedings. It turns out my ex has started this process, this is fine and what has needed to happen to make things official, however I have not received any correspondence with my first court hearing details.

I have called my local family court who told me a letter was sent out weeks ago, i have requested the later again but no luck in receiving it yet.

Does anyone know what the details of this letter involve or at least what I have to do at the first hearing? I feel completely in the dark and need to be prepared. Has anyone recently been to a first hearing who can advise?

I had a first hearing last week. Are you represented? Your solicitor will have details of the hearing. Contact your exes solicitor if you're self representing or contact the court again. First hearing is just establishing what direction to go in.. In terms of further hearings, interim contact, any further directions. Cafcass get involved after that if a Section 7 is ordered. they should disclose a cafcass safeguarding also that needs to be received prior to the first hearing.

Thank you for the reply.
I don’t have a solicitor and as far as I am aware my ex doesn’t either. I contact the court and they told me the first hearing I don’t need to attend and it is only for the legal team, is this right? Where you present in court? I was also told that any court hearings where I needed to attend would be completed over the phone due to Covid?

Yes it's a telephone hearing. No you need to be present. I had a barrister and so did my ex so they did all the talking. But if you and your ex are self representing you'll need to speak. The court should be preparing your bundle also. Email the court and give them your contact details and case number for the hearing. You should have a telephone call with CAFCASS prior to the first hearing also.

I know it's expensive but if you can try and get the money together I definitely recommend getting a barrister for the hearings. I couldn't have done what my barrister did. My case is complex with a long history of DV and child abuse. I couldn't take the chance.

I have my telephone call with Cafcass this week, I am hoping they might let me know the next bit of the process. Unfortunately I don’t have the money for someone to represent me.
I called the court, they told me my hearing date but no other information then that. They advised to email the court requesting my letter is sent again, I did that but have received nothing so far.

What will happen, do you sit waiting for a time for the phone call on the hearing date? Or is the time on the letter? Sorry for the all questions, i feel really in the dark about all this.

So it's usually an allocated time you get day 3pm but they ask you to ensure you're available 30 minutes before and after depending on how late Court is running that day. My hearing was 30 minutes after my allocated time. Don't worry too much, you should definitely contact the court and ask them to give you details of the hearing. Provide your case number and give them a contact telephone number. If you're both self representing the court will prepare your bundle for the hearing. This is called the FHDRA hearing, look it up online. Its fairly straightforward. What are your views on contact. Are you opposing it? Do you not qualify for legal aid? I received legal aid because there was documented violence towards me and I had to get a non molestation order on my ex. Definitely contact the Court though. You'll be fine I promise x

Give them your mobile number, if they run the phone service like actual court you either have a generic am/pm time.

First court is more about fact finding. I had representation and was told not to go (DV).
It was a case of both sides presenting their initial case, and the judge adjourned whilst reports were submitted

Some local areas do run regular legal drop ins. Cab can also be helpful (varies)
Gingerbread can also be helpful

Thanks for the replies and advice, I will contact the court again this week and try to find out the time of the hearing and make sure they have my phone number.

No I don’t qualify for legal aid. I am not against contact, however my ex is making unreasonable demands. I have an older child who has their own very strong opinions on what they feel. My ex is viewing this as a battle against me and has taken great delight knowing I can’t afford any fees. Im just trying to listen to my child and hopefully Cafcass will be interested in his feelings too.

Did you receive the letter? I am in the same boat, DC 8, 11 & 14 and split 4 year ago. EXDH wants to change contact arrangement and go through the courts as arrangements have always been made without court involvement. I have received nothing so far and the court letter says first hearing on 21st December in West London family Court. It has taken a while to get here as he started the ball rolling in January. What is in the letter they say I should have received? Is it his request or just first hearing stuff? I am so stressed out by all of this and cannot afford a solicitor. My Cafcass call is Wednesday does anyone know what they ask?

@DawnEV87 I’ve sent you pm