Successful negotiation for a further Directions Hearing

Nicole acted for the Respondent in a case where the Applicant Father had made a Child Arrangements Order application to spend time with his daughter.

The Applicant Father and Respondent Mother had made cross-allegations of domestic abuse. The Court decided that a Fact-Finding Hearing was necessary. Nicole represented the Respondent Mother at a Directions Hearing.

Nicole argued that it could not be an effective hearing and a further Directions Hearing should be listed because the directions from the previous order had not been complied with and therefore the Court would not be able to timetable the Fact-Finding Hearing accurately.

The Judge was keen to list for a Fact-Finding Hearing but was persuaded by Nicole to list for a further Directions Hearing.