Falsely Accused Network

If you've been told your case is heading towards a fact-finding hearing, it's natural to feel anxious about what that actually means. This is one of the most significant stages in family court proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse — and understanding how it works can make a real difference to how prepared, and how in control, you feel. This article explains what a fact-finding hearing is, when the court holds one, what to expect on the day, and how to prepare.

Separation and divorce are rarely straightforward, but for a growing number of parents in England and Wales, the process is made significantly more difficult by false allegations. Whether raised out of genuine misunderstanding, emotional distress, or as a deliberate tactic to gain advantage in proceedings, false allegations can have a devastating and lasting impact on a parent's ability to maintain a relationship with their children.

Imagine, for a moment, that you are a Family Court judge. You walk into court on a Monday morning. On your desk is a case involving two parents and two young children. The mother says she has been subjected to domestic abuse. The father says the allegations are completely false.