Preparing for a court hearing
A calm structure for the days before the hearing, arrival, papers, notes and post-hearing follow-up.
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CAFCASS, reports and the welfare checklist
A practical overview of CAFCASS involvement, child reports and welfare checklist preparation.
CAFCASS involvement
- CAFCASS may carry out safeguarding checks and speak with parties in child arrangements cases.
- They may provide information or recommendations to help the court decide next steps.
- Be clear, factual and child-focused when preparing for conversations.
Reports
- Different reports may look at safeguarding, wishes and feelings, parenting arrangements or specific concerns.
- Read any report carefully and mark factual points you agree with, disagree with or need to clarify.
- Connect responses to evidence where possible.
Welfare checklist
- The court's focus is the child's welfare.
- Think about needs, safety, relationships, change, harm and each parent's ability to meet needs.
- Prepare child-focused examples rather than adult conflict points.
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