C2 applications

[Crazykids17]

We have had to put a c2 application in to court
How long do can they take to hear back
And has anybody ever had one rejected

[Robin D]

Unfortunately it depends.

However when we put in a C2 to join proceedings as a party, we heard nothing from the court directly, but the solicitor for the child contacted us and asked us to attend the next hearing where our application was heard at the start of the hearing and we were then allowed to stay as joining as a party was agreed by all existing parties and approved by the judge.

I guess it depends what you are applying for. If its a completely new application, I would expect the court office to contact you directly as you have started the process. However the courts are still running behind on many matters so, I would give it a couple of weeks and then phone them or go in if you have heard nothing. I have always found court officials to be very helpful across family courts in Chelmsford, Reading, Peterborough, East London, Hitchin and Ipswich. Never had to contact the High Court directly as all communication was through the solicitors for the child(ren) so can't speak for them.

Hopefully this helps.

Best wishes .... Robin

[Crazykids17]

It’s an application so we can be party to Proceedings for our SGO as it was done by private law this means we can not be at court for our own SGO hearing without a c2 form been done
As LA filed not us
Seems to be in thing after another

[Robin D]

That seems as crazy to me as it clearly does for you. I would have thought the LA would have listed you as a party anyway but who knows why they think teh way they do? That was certainly the way it worked with our adoption applications some years back. Maybe @suzie can explain.

I still think your application will be heard at the start of the next hearing. Given the LA way of working, I would contact the court office and ask if it's listed for a hearing and when.

Good luck.

Robin

[Crazykids17]

Thanks for your reply
I’m even more confused now lol
I had no clue it has to be heard before a judge
lol
Well both parents are saying no to us been there and
Local authorities and guardian are saying yes what could happen now
It all baffles me

[Robin D]

Yes the judge has the final say but if the local authority representative says they support it, and they are the applicant, even if the patients have a barrister who objects, the facts support you being a party.

You should be invited to the next hearing, and I expect will be invited into the court at the start of the heating. Don't worry that all the legal bods and SW's have a professionals meeting first to which you will not be invited or allowed to attend on my experience. If they can agree key issues on the case, including your party application, the barristers/legal representatives may be called in to see the judge in chambers before the hearing proper starts. Sometimes the judge will ask some questions or seek clarification and will take other cases in first that are ready to 'hear', while the answers are sought. If this is the first hearing on the SGO process, it's likely then to be fairly short, and then listed for a second or perhaps final hearing.

Please don't worry about the court process. You are not expected to be legally trained, and the judge will intervene if they think you are not understanding something. I suspect the LA barrister, or the one for the child, will take you under their wing, explain things and answer any questions.

The fear of being in a family court is much worse than the reality, but you will feel very anxious and possible have a touch of the collywobbles. I know I did, and not just the first time.

I suspect you will come out drained. Go have a coffee, sometimes with the SW who are often more anxious than you will be. Then while it's fresh and you have calmed the beating heart, just think about actually how difficult it was, or not.

Good luck.

Robin

[Robin D]

And just to add, expect lots of waiting around. We had one directions case listed for 10 but we didn't get into the court itself until late afternoon.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Thanks for your reply
I’m even more confused now lol
I had no clue it has to be heard before a judge
lol
Well both parents are saying no to us been there and
Local authorities and guardian are saying yes what could happen now
It all baffles me

Dear Crazykids17

Thank you for your further updating posts. I can understand how confusing the situation is and that it may be quite stressful too. I hope that you have a good support network around you.

You are applying to be joined to the proceedings in relation to a special guardianship order application. You have submitted the C2 form and are now awaiting a response. You are wondering what happens next as both parents oppose your application while the child’s social worker and their Guardian are in favour.

You have had helpful and prompt advice already from RobinD.

It will be for the court to decide whether to join you to the proceedings. It is positive the local authority and the court appointed solicitor support your application. As with any application to the court it could be agreed or refused. The court considers whether the person applying to be a party has ‘a different case to put forward ‘but must consider the views of all parties.

In the meantime, have you accessed legal advice from a solicitor? You can check if you may be eligible for legal aid and if not can ask the local authority if they will pay for this. While you are unrepresented you can also consult with the Guardian about the timescale for a response as their solicitor can clarify this. I assume that you have the next/final court hearing date so the court will need to decide prior to that. Please see this link to sources of legal advice.

I hope that you get a decision on your application soon.

I hope this helps.

Please post back or contact the advice service via one of the options linked to here.

Best wishes

Suzie

[Crazykids17]

Thank you both so much for your advice
You have been a massive help and what will be will be
I’ll let you know when we get told
I’m sure I’ll be back soon for more advice at some point