Family court guides for fathers

Plain-English guides to the steps, documents and terms that come up in a child arrangements case in England and Wales. Each one names its sources and the date they were last checked.

• What is a Cafcass safeguarding letter?
  What Cafcass checks, when the letter reaches the court, and what to do when it arrives.
• What happens at the first hearing (FHDRA)?
  When it is, what the court considers, what to bring and what to know before you leave.
• What is a section 7 report?
  Who writes it, when a court orders one, and what to do about errors.
• What is a MIAM (mediation information and assessment meeting)?
  Who must attend before applying, who can hold one, exemptions and funding.
• Family court forms explained: C100, C1A, C7 and FM5
  What each form is for, who files it, and the deadlines to check.
• Family court glossary: plain-English terms for fathers
  Plain-English definitions of the terms that come up in a child arrangements case.

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New to the process? Download the free 30-day checklist, then read nine sample pages from the book When You Can’t See Your Child.

This guide gives general information about the standard process in England and Wales. It is not legal advice, and procedure changes. Some court areas use a different process, the Child Focused Model, so check your notice of hearing. Full disclaimer