Parents & Carers

Pre-Hearing Panels

A young daughter sitting on her fathers lap as he reads her a book

Before a Children’s Hearing, a meeting called a Pre-Hearing Panel can take place. A Pre-Hearing Panel can make some decisions about who should come to the Hearing and about who has a right to take part.

Decisions about being a relevant person

Some of the things that a Pre-Hearing Panel can be asked to make a decision about are:

  • If a person should be a relevant person. A relevant person must come to the Hearing and has rights including:
  • To attend Hearings
  • To receive the papers for Hearings
  • To appeal some decisions of Hearings
  • To request a Hearing in some circumstances

To decide if someone is a relevant person, the Pre-Hearing Panel will consider if that person has or has recently had significant involvement in the upbringing of the child or young person. If the Pre-Hearing Panel makes someone a relevant person, they will be called a deemed relevant person.

  • If a deemed relevant person should stop being a relevant person.

To decide if someone should stop being a relevant person, the Pre-Hearing Panel will consider if that person still has or has recently had significant involvement in the upbringing of the child.

More information about being a relevant person is available on our website.

There might not be enough time to arrange a Pre-Hearing Panel before the Hearing to decide whether someone should be a relevant person or should stop being a relevant person. If that happens, the Hearing will make the decision instead.

Decisions about attendance at the Children’s Hearing

Some other things that a Pre-Hearing Panel can be asked to make a decision about are:

  • Whether a child or relevant person should be excused. A Pre-Hearing Panel can make that decision and this means they do not have to come.
  • Whether a relevant person is only allowed to attend by electronic means. A Pre-Hearing Panel can make that decision and this means they will not be allowed to attend in person. The Reporter will make arrangements for the person to attend by video link or telephone.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about Pre-Hearing Panels, please contact the Children’s Reporter. Their contact details will be on the letter which was sent to you. You can also view contact information for all our local offices and Hearing centres in the contact us section of our website.