The Pathfinder Pilot in practice: Early results

Delays in the Family Court have long been a source of frustration and stress for parents, carers, and, most importantly, children.

Cases have often taken many months to conclude, with long gaps between hearings, increasing conflict between parents and leaving children living with uncertainty.

To address these issues, the Pathfinder Pilot was introduced in West Yorkshire (Leeds, Bradford, and Huddersfield) on 3 June 2025. Replacing the previous Child Arrangements Programme, it offers a new approach to private law children cases designed to reach decisions more quickly and with fewer court hearings.

With Pathfinder, the focus is placed on the child from the very beginning, with the aim of reducing delays, lowering stress for families, and helping parents reach workable arrangements sooner. It also offers increased support for victims of domestic abuse, including involvement from Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), where appropriate.

How Pathfinder works

Before going to court: Parents are usually expected to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before making a court application, unless there is a valid reason not to do so, e.g. where domestic abuse is a concern. Mediation can help parents resolve issues without the need for court proceedings.

Starting court proceedings: If mediation is not suitable or does not lead to an agreement, an application can be made to the court. The case is first reviewed by the court to ensure it is dealt with in the most appropriate way. If an urgent hearing is not required, the case moves into the Pathfinder process.

Information gathering and assessment: At an early stage, the court will request a Child Impact Report, prepared by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) or Children’s Services. This report brings together key information, including safeguarding checks, discussions with each parent, and input from relevant professionals such as schools or health services. Where appropriate, the child’s wishes and feelings are also explored. The report is usually completed in around eight weeks and includes recommendations to help the court decide what arrangements are in the child’s best interests. The report also aims to include the parents’ response to the recommendations.

Court review: Once the report is completed, it is reviewed by the court – this is usually called Second Gatekeeping and does not usually require the attendance of the parties. If both parents agree with the recommendations, the court may be able to make a final order without the need for a hearing.

Decision hearing: If agreement is not possible, the court may list a short decision hearing to consider any remaining issues and make a final decision. The court will also consider how its decision should be explained to the child.

Final hearing (if needed): In some cases, a further hearing may be required, e.g. where more evidence is needed. Even then, the court continues to encourage agreement, wherever possible.

The results so far

Our experience of the Pathfinder Pilot has been very positive. The process is more focused from the outset, which has led to quicker outcomes for families. In many cases, final arrangements have been agreed and confirmed by the court much sooner than would have been possible under the previous system.

In terms of reducing delays, early figures are encouraging – by 1 December 2025, over 1,200 cases had been issued in West Yorkshire, with more than 430 already concluded.

While every case is different, early signs suggest that this new approach is helping families reach clarity and stability more quickly. In areas where Pathfinder is being piloted:

• Cases are concluding around 11 weeks faster
• The number of ongoing cases has reduced by approximately 50%
• The average number of hearings has fallen from around five to just one or two

How we can help

At Wilkinson Woodward, we recognise that disputes around children are rarely just legal – they are emotional and deeply personal. We also know that navigating the family court system can be challenging and stressful.

If you are involved in a dispute over child arrangements or need advice on how Pathfinder will affect your case, our experienced team is available to provide clear and compassionate advice tailored to your situation.