After care proceedings have been issued, a case management hearing is usually the first Court hearing that you will need to attend. It may be your first time in Court, and you may not know what to expect.
During this hearing, the Court will not make any final decisions; however, it will decide the dates for each stage of the proceedings and set a timetable for the case. There is a 26-week time limit for the completion of care proceedings, and extensions beyond 26 weeks will only happen if there are exceptional circumstances for which delay is necessary to enable the Court to resolve the proceedings justly—for example, if there is an international element in your proceedings.
In working out a timetable for the case, the Court will make directions to get all the information it needs and to allow everyone involved to have their say by making a statement in writing or providing evidence, together with deadlines by when the information should be completed. For example, it may ask for the opinion of a medical expert relating to your child’s injury, or it may consider whether any family members will be assessed as potential carers for the child. If you think a family member may be able to support you in caring for the child, or can care for the child, you should let your social worker and solicitor know as soon as possible. A timetable helps you, the parent, know when final decisions will be made, and lets us, the professionals, know when various kinds of evidence should be shared to make sure that the case remains on track.
At this hearing, the Court will also review the application, including the proposed care plan for the child, and identify and set out the key issues in the case. The Court may look at where the child should live for the duration of the proceedings and grant an Interim Care Order or an Interim Supervision Order. It may also decide who the child should have contact with, how often, and when—these are known as contact arrangements. If there are disagreements about the interim arrangements for the child, the Court will either make a decision at the Case Management Hearing, or it will set a date for a Further Case Management Hearing to make the decision. Any directions that the Court makes at this hearing must be complied with, as failure to do so could cause delays for you and your child.
We can help
This is an important hearing that you must attend, and it is crucial that you stay in open communication with your solicitor and work closely with them. At Ringrose Law Solicitors we have significant experience in dealing with care proceedings and representing parents or parties in Court proceedings. For further information, contact your local Ringrose Law Office.