New systems within the family court

On Tuesday 3 June 2025 there will be a major change in West Yorkshire as  to how private law  children proceedings are dealt with by the Family Courts.  Known as Pathfinder, the vision is to improve the court experience and outcomes for children and families involved in private family law proceedings, including those who have experience of domestic abuse, by reducing the adversarial nature of family law proceedings and the damaging impact on victims and their children and centering the voice of the child.  There will be fewer hearings, reduced delay and the parties will be prepared for hearings by Court appointed Case  Progression Officers.

The new process will deliver a more efficient court experience which will reduce delay whilst ensuring that all orders are safe and appropriate to the case.  The voice of the child is central to the proceedings – the child will feel heard.  After all, the orders made are about children, not the parents.

The Pathfinder pilot was launched in Dorset and Wales in 2022, Birmingham and Sourtheast Wales in 2024 and now rolling out in West Yorkshire in June 2025.

For further information please contact [email protected]