The 26-week timetable in care proceedings — section 32 explained

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-30

When a local authority starts care or supervision proceedings, the law requires the court to conclude the case within 26 weeks — about six months — from the day the application is issued. This guide explains where that rule comes from, when it can be extended, and what the reality looks like. It is general information, not legal advice.

The statutory rule

Section 32(1)(a) of the Children Act 1989 — inserted by section 14 of the Children and Families Act 2014, in force from April 2014 — requires the court to:

1. draw up a timetable for the child, and 2. dispose of the application without delay and in any event within 26 weeks, beginning with the day the application was issued.

The rule followed the Norgrove Family Justice Review (2011), which concluded that "delay has become habitual" — before the reform, care cases took around 61 weeks on average.

Extensions — up to 8 weeks at a time

The court can extend the 26-week limit only if the extension is necessary to enable the court to resolve the proceedings justly — and extensions are granted for a maximum of 8 weeks at a time (s.32(8)).

In deciding whether to extend, the court must have particular regard to:

the impact on the child's welfare of any timetable revision
the impact on the duration and conduct of the proceedings

The then-President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, put it plainly: only "the imperative demands of justice — fair process — or of the child's welfare" justify going beyond 26 weeks. Extensions are not automatic, and each needs its own justification.

The reality: the timetable often slips

Official statistics show the 26-week target is met in a minority of cases. In recent years the average care and supervision case has taken over 40 weeks to complete, with only around a fifth to a quarter of cases finishing within 26 weeks. Contributing factors include court backlogs, shortages of experts, and stretched social work and Cafcass resources. The President's Chambers said openly in 2022 that there was "no current expectation" of meeting the 26-week deadline nationally.

What this means for parents

Ask for the timetable at the first hearing. The court must set a timetable for the child and identify any hearings needed; you are entitled to know the plan and the dates
Extensions must be justified. If an extension is proposed, ask why it is necessary (not merely convenient) and what it means for your child
Comply with directions. A large share of delay comes from late evidence — file your statements and engage with assessments on time; missed directions are the most common trigger for slippage
Legal aid is automatic for parents in care proceedings — you do not face the means test — so get a solicitor early
The Public Law Outline (PLO) governs the steps before and during proceedings; understanding it helps you see where the timetable is heading

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS, the judiciary, or gov.uk. This page is general information and is not legal advice. If you face care proceedings, get a solicitor immediately — legal aid is available for parents regardless of income.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.