Apparently this is a recent innovation - gatekeeping hearings. Either to weed out applications that don’t warrant a hearing (and reject them) - or in urgent or very serious cases so a Judge can make directions based on a Cafcass safeguarding letter findings.
In some ways this sounds good - if it speeds up serious cases, avoiding months of delays and hearings to get to the point where a Judge makes directions for, say a section 37 report to be ordered.
On the other hand it seems quite worrying that a hearing can take place without either parent being present to state their case - and decisions based on a Cafcass safeguarding letter (C2). But assume this is generally only the case for serious or minor cases.
Gatekeepers are usually District Judges.
“
The gatekeeper can immediately order a welfare report from the Local Authority or Cafcass; make directions for filing of statements, set a hearing date to hear the parties and make directions or set a hearing date for a first hearing dispute resolution appointment. The gatekeeper will read the application and consider if an urgent hearing is needed.
Since gatekeeping hearings do not require the parties to attend Court or arrange representation, Children applications can be dealt with more rapidly and efficiently by referring the dispute to the best place where it can be resolved.”
In some ways this sounds good - if it speeds up serious cases, avoiding months of delays and hearings to get to the point where a Judge makes directions for, say a section 37 report to be ordered.
On the other hand it seems quite worrying that a hearing can take place without either parent being present to state their case - and decisions based on a Cafcass safeguarding letter (C2). But assume this is generally only the case for serious or minor cases.
Gatekeepers are usually District Judges.
“
The gatekeeper can immediately order a welfare report from the Local Authority or Cafcass; make directions for filing of statements, set a hearing date to hear the parties and make directions or set a hearing date for a first hearing dispute resolution appointment. The gatekeeper will read the application and consider if an urgent hearing is needed.
Since gatekeeping hearings do not require the parties to attend Court or arrange representation, Children applications can be dealt with more rapidly and efficiently by referring the dispute to the best place where it can be resolved.”
Gatekeeping Hearings and the Family Court – Maxwell Hodge Solicitors
www.maxwellhodge.co.uk