2nd gatekeeping and directions hearing

[Silentwhisper93]

Hi all. I recently applied for a child arrangement order and a specific issue order. I go away in June and my ex is refusing to give me permission and says he will ring the police if I go despite being ok with it when I mentioned it before booking. He knew I was going with my partner and daughter and has now had a change of heart. Anyway, I’ve had a letter for a second directions and gatekeeping meeting (I never knew of the first) and I also have a cafcass phone interview before this. I’ve been pretty clear on what I want as we did mediation but couldn’t agree on a couple of things including holidays so I just put that in my statement. He demonstrated a lot of coercive abuse with me to the point I now have him blocked and communication goes through a family member. Can someone explain to me what these hearings are for and what to expect? I’ve being doing my research and im finding the information conflicting. I’d really like to know people’s experience.

I hope what I’ve wrote makes sense in a waffles and struggle to get to the point!!

Directions hearings are usually to set directions for the upcoming court case, so for example statements detailing the points of your case need to be submitted to the other side and the court by x date, evidence of the holiday needs to be provided to all by Y date, objections need to be provided by Z date. So the court and both parties have all relevant information and time to digest the same prior to the actual court date/hearing if that makes sense. So maybe have a think about what you need from your ex (perhaps a list of his specific objections) prior to the Directions hearing. Anything from him that could help you make your arguments for what you want.

Email the Admin team at the court, putting attention the judge and state you knew nothing about the first directions hearing. Can they please provide further details. During my divorce, my ex's legal team submitted proposals to the court and forgot to include me on any of the correspondence, so the judge approved their request and sent his directions. He wasn't at all happy when he realised that I had not been included.