With the new Child Focused Courts coming to Devon and Somerset soon, how will they affect you?
If you need help with child contact, contact us for a free initial consultation on 0333 888 0404 or email [email protected]
The government has announced that changes to the Family courts are due to be rolled out nationally after successful trials.
The new Child Focused Courts aim to make the Family Court system “more child focused” and will crucially reduce the time and costs to families seeking a resolution to their privately funded Children Matters.
Key differences between the new and old systems explained
Here’s how the new process looks for families now and how it compares with the traditional system previously used (and still used in some areas including Devon and Somerset, as at April 2026):
| New Child Focused Courts (Pathfinder) | Traditional Child Arrangements | ||
| Day 1 | Application Filed (Form C100) after MIAM (unless reason for exemption applies).
Initial check takes place and are completed within 7 days of application. This costs the applicant a fee of £263 (as of early 2026). In this procedure no further court fees are required until the first in person hearing. |
Day 1 | Application Filed (Form C100) after MIAM (MIAM is mandatory unless there is a qualifying reason for exemption, e.g. domestic abuse and/or immediate danger to child, etc.)
This costs the applicant a fee of £263 (as of early 2026). Later the parties will also incur fees per court hearing, beginning at the FHDRA in week 4-6 approx. |
| Day 2 / Week 1 | Judge/Family Court Adviser (FCA) reviews the case and orders a Child Impact Report (CIR). | Week 1–2 | Initial Triage: Court processes the application. |
| Week 1 – 2 | Child Impact Report preparation: CAFCASS social worker (or the Local Authority) begins the Child Impact Report. To do this they interview the child/children in the matter, the parents/guardians, and all relevant agencies in the matter, e.g. schools, police, nursery, etc.
Report is usually filed within 8-10 weeks |
Week 4–6 | 1st COURT HEARING: FHDRA: Brief safeguarding letter from CAFCASS is reviewed in court; this often leads to adjournments for more info., e.g. Section 7 reports (these often take 12+ weeks to file.
Further fees incurred by the parties |
| Week 8 – 10 | Child Impact Report filed and reviewed by the Judge without the parties present and decides the next steps. | Week 8–10 | Report Filing: As above, if needed, a Section 7 welfare report is ordered after the (taking 12+ more weeks). |
| Week 10-12 | 1st (potentially only) COURT HEARING: Decision Hearing: This is the first time parents attend court in this new model, and it is also the day where in many cases a decision is made. (In some cases a further Final hearing is required, but this is only in exceptional cases.) | Week 16 –18 | Ongoing Litigation with further written witness/position statements from either party. |
| Case Closed | After 1 Court Hearing and approximately 3 months
This marks a significant saving in time and cost for families to be able to find a resolution to their issues. |
Week 20 – 24 + (dependant on delays & courtroom availability) | 2nd COURT HEARING: DRA: (Dispute Resolution Appointment). Occurs once reports are finished to see if an agreement can finally be reached. |
| Final Stage | POSSIBLE FINAL COURT HEARING (though more hearings are sometimes required) | ||
| Case Closed | After 6 to 12 months and 4 or 5 costly court hearings. | ||
Do you need help with child contact?
While the new scheme has yet to be implemented in Devon and Somerset, it is coming, and our team of highly experienced and compassionate family lawyers is here to help you and your children to navigate this process.
We are skilled at resolving child contact issues quickly and cost effectively, and will help you find the best resolution for you and your child’s welfare.
With offices throughout Devon and Somerset (Bideford, Tiverton, Exeter, Bristol, Barnstaple, South Molton, Taunton and Braunton) we are well placed to assist you.
Call our free legal helpline today for guidance on 0333 888 0404 or email [email protected]
