I write this message on behalf of my partner (he can't speak English well).
He has taken his ex partner to family court for access to their son (4 yrs old). He has not seen his child since February 2019.
He raised allegations of domestic abuse and so did his ex partner.
A fact finding was done and the judge found in favour of his ex for everything (11 allegations) nothing was found for my partner.
Judge ordered a section 7.
My partner does not accept the findings (nor me) and he has told the cafcass officer this.
The report recommends indirect contact via a card 3 times a year and states he is not suitable for a dv course.
He has a DRA hearing next week,what happens at this hearing and where do we go from here?
That must be very upsetting for your partner. The Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA) is a hearing that takes place before the final hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to try to resolve as many issues as possible and takes place after the CAFCASS report has been received by the court. The court will identify and hopefully narrow the issues and encourage both parties to resolve the matter. If it cannot be resolved the Judge will usually fix the case for a final hearing. It does seem that indirect contact 3 times a year is nowhere near sufficient to build a relationship with a child. Its likely that any actual contact will be at a contact centre in the first instance. Its important for your partner to be very child focused at court and not to become angry or make remarks about his ex. Has he asked for an interpreter so he can fully understand what is happening?
Hi,thanks for the reply. Yes my partner has a translator for every hearing,Thank goodness. It seems that the focus is on his immigration status and how he's is using to courts to Secure that status,it's not true at all. It's been a very difficult time for him (and me)
Hi
If findings have been made against your partner then unless he accepts them or appeals and succeeds, he will be deemed not suitable to complete the DV course.. Unfortunately until the DV course is completed Cafcass will deem him a risk to his son and therefore will not allow any direct contact, not even in a contact centre which are usually only to be used for short term to build up contact.
I'm sure others more knowledgeable will comment and confirm or otherwise...
Has he had any legal advice?
Sometimes it's a case of putting principles to one side and accepting in order to be able to see our kids..
All the best...