Revamp of Hampshire and Isle of Wight family courts begins

A Pathfinder pilot to speed family court cases has started in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, using early investigations and Child Impact Reports before hearings; the government said some pilot areas have cut case lengths and reduced backlogs.

A pilot scheme called Pathfinder has begun operating in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to speed up family court cases. The process brings forward investigations and reporting before any court hearing. Pathfinder was first introduced in parts of Dorset and north Wales in 2022. The government said some pilot areas cut case lengths and reduced backlogs, and the change has started in Aldershot, Basingstoke, Newport, Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester. Key points: - Pathfinder includes an initial Child Impact Report prepared by a court service or local authority for judicial review. - A judge can review that report and may order further investigations or make orders, and a local solicitor said the scheme gives judges power to make final orders without a hearing. - The government said some pilot areas have reduced case lengths by up to seven-and-a-half months and halved their backlogs. - Victims of domestic abuse will be able to access support from Independent Domestic Violence Advisers under the pilot, the government said. - A Hampshire family law solicitor raised reservations about how people will feel if orders are made without seeing a judge and about the need for sufficient resources such as CAFCASS to carry out front-loaded inquiries. Summary: Government officials describe the Pathfinder pilot as shortening case times and improving child protection in areas where it was tried. Undetermined at this time.