 will be entitled to legal representation. Whether or not the child is a party, they must attend court for the final hearing unless the court specifically directs otherwise (Rule 14.6). The court will usually dispense with the child’s attendance if there is good reason to do so. If the child is particularly anxious about the idea of attending court, this is a matter that should be brought to the attention of the court in advance of the final hearing. 136 The Directions Hearing 8.32. The court will need to give directions about the way the case is to be dealt with so that there will usually be a short hearing to consider what is necessary. However, there are variations in the way different courts deal with these procedural issues (perhaps using telephone conferencing, for example) so it is essential to ascertain what process is likely to be followed by the court in question, and to ensure that the applicants are as aware as possible of what to expect. The final hearing 8.33. Unless a birth parent has been given leave to oppose the application, the final hearing should be a relatively straightforward process. The birth parent is however entitled to receive notice of the hearing and to attend (unless they are consenting parents and have indicated that they do not want to be kept informed). 8.34. When giving directions about the final hearing, the guidance issued by the President of the Family Division on 3 October 2008 provides for the court to consider the practical arrangements and to direct whether the child and/ or the prospective adopter need not attend. The guidance requires each adoption centre and magistrates’ court, which hears family proceedings, to have arrangements in place to provide information to the parties about any special arrangements made for their atte