Revamp of Hampshire and Isle of Wight family courts

A pilot scheme to speed up and improve family court cases is starting to operate in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The Pathfinder process, which was first introduced in parts of Dorset and north Wales in 2022, includes early investigations by authorities before any court hearings take place.

The government said it had reduced the length of cases such as family separations by up to seven-and-a-half months and was giving children better protection.

It confirmed the change would begin on Tuesday, as previously announced, in Aldershot, Basingstoke, Newport, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Winchester.

Pathfinder was introduced at a time when the Family Court backlog was at an all-time high, according to its leadership.

The former Conservative government said it hoped early investigations would avoid conflict in the courtroom, by avoiding the circumstances of cases having to be debated.

It set out a phased timetable for the pilot scheme, starting in Dorset, Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire, before moving on to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Labour Justice Minister Baroness Alison Levitt KC said: "When relationships between parents break down, the courts must respond without delay to protect children and prevent any further distress.

"That's exactly what our Pathfinder courts are doing."

The government said some pilot areas had halved their case backlog.

As part of the Pathfinder process, an initial Child Impact Report is produced by a court service or local authority before being reviewed by a judge, who can order more investigations or make orders.

Victims of domestic abuse will also be able to access support through Independent Domestic Violence Advisers, the government said.

Jon Whettingsteel, Hampshire-based head of family law at solicitors Dutton Gregory, said the scheme gave judges the power to make final orders without a hearing.

He said: "I do have some reservations about how those involved in the court process will feel if the court make orders without ever seeing a judge.

"Personally I think the biggest challenge will be on ensuring there are sufficient resources, such as with CAFCASS [Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service] to cover the front-loading and inquiries."

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