Were allegations of domestic abuse ignored in your family court case?
If you told the family court about domestic abuse, the other parent denied it, and the court never held a hearing to decide what really happened, we want to hear from you.
CFJA gathers experiences to identify patterns, inform public discussion and explore legal avenues for redress. Your answers can be anonymous.
What is a "fact-finding hearing"?
It is a separate hearing where the judge looks at the evidence and decides whether the abuse actually happened. Evidence can come from you, the other parent and professionals such as social workers (council staff who check children are safe), the police (who may hold call-outs, statements or arrest records), the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service – decides whether criminal charges go ahead) and CAFCASS (advisers who report to the family court on what is best for the children). This decision should normally be made before the court decides where the children live or who they see. If instead the judge went along with reports or other people's opinions, and never made that decision themselves, you probably did not have a fact-finding hearing.
Not sure? Check your court paperwork
Paste a short section from a court order or judgment. We'll explain in plain words whether it seems to describe a fact-finding hearing. Remove names and addresses first. This is not legal advice, and the text is not saved.
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