Issues resolution hearing

This is a type of court hearing in care proceedings. It takes place after the case management hearing to resolve outstanding issues before the final hearing.

At the issues resolution hearing, the court will:

• Examine the assessments that have been filed. The court will consider the final evidence from children’s services. It will pay particular attention to the care plan for the child.
• Identify any issues that have not yet been agreed and need to be determined at the final hearing, and establish how long those issues will take to resolve.
• See whether an agreement can be reached about any issue that has not been resolved, such as the child’s final placement and contact (if an agreement is reached, this might make a final hearing unnecessary).
• Consider whether any further directions should be given to prepare the case for the final hearing.

The date for the issues resolution hearing will have been set at the case management hearing.