This guide aims to assist you in preparing an index and bundle for hearings in family courts. It is not legal advice, though it has been prepared by a team consisting of individuals who are a part of the court process.
Many parents enter family court proceedings with information they have found online, but not always the understanding they need to navigate the process confidently. Writing from the perspective of a professional McKenzie Friend, Gergely Fried explores the important distinction between legal advice and "orientation" – helping families understand where they are in the process, what to expect next and how early guidance can reduce confusion, conflict and costly mistakes.
With reforms to family justice, reductions in legal aid and changing approaches to family relationship breakdown, there has been a significant increase in the number of litigants in person. Members should consider carefully how dealings with litigants in person differ from dealings with another lawyer.
As litigants in person become an increasingly common feature of family proceedings, understanding their experiences is essential for all practitioners. In this blog, Sapna Shah – a barrister undertaking direct access work and a highly valued member of Resolution’s LiPs Committee – brings both professional and practical insight to her review of Jessica Mant’s Litigants in Person and the Family Justice System. For Resolution members, it underscores the importance of empathy and accessibility, and how this work underpins the Code of Practice in supporting fair and effective outcomes.
Promoting legal wellbeing and empowerment through visual learning Courtney is the first audio-visual law library in this country, featuring short animations of hearings and NCDR sessions
Resolution has responded to proposed changes to PD27A.
This guidance refers to proceeding with any court order that involves children. For example this can include who the child is going to live with, resolving disagreements such as which school the child will go to, emergency orders etc.
Representing yourself in court without a lawyer can be a difficult and stressful process. Here are some top tips from our Litigants in Person committee.
Resolution's Litigants in Person (LiPs) Committee has produced these top tips for members who are working with LiPs covering communication, court proceedings and managing client expectations.
With the number of self-represented parties sky-rocketing, it is important that lawyers tailor their approach when working with them
This guidance is intended to help those representing themselves in private children law proceedings where they have been ordered by the court to prepare a witness statement. It is not a substitute for bespoke, independent, legal advice.
When a relationship breaks down to the point that going to court seems like the only option Resolution would always advise seeking help and representation from one of our members. However we understand that this not always possible and that sometimes you have to represent yourself in court.
Specific terms are used in the legal process which can be confusing and unfamiliar. Set out below are some definitions to help you on the way.
It is important when getting divorced, or when dissolving a civil partnership, to consider the financial issues that arise out of the separation. Most couples try to reach a financial settlement without having to ask the court to determine their financial claims, however, some couples are not able to come to an agreement in relation to their finances and need to make a financial application to the court. Where an application is made the couple will still be encouraged to try and come to a settlement themselves within those proceedings but ultimately a judge will impose an outcome on them if they cannot. Below we set out the court process.
We need to change some basic fundamentals of family procedure in order to ensure LiPs have a fair...
The Litigants in Person (LiPs) Committee was set up to respond to the increasing number of LiPs in the family justice system. They help members working with LiPs and they help LiPs with information to improve their experience of the system.
In certain circumstances where it is inappropriate for a party to cross-examine a witness, the co...
This is a checklist of the main points a solicitor or direct access barrister should bear in mind...
This is a checklist of the main points a solicitor or direct access barrister should bear in mind...
This workshop was presented by Carmen O’Loughlin and Jovana Ugrinic from the Support Through Cour...
Supporting litigants in person - how Support Through Court helps and how they can help you in you...
Learn about how Support Through Court’s services support Litigants in Person and how you can engage with their work to improve your experience in cases involving LiPs.
There is no decline in the rising numbers of self-litigating parties, and practitioners need to b...
Hearings in the Family Court are increasingly being held remotely by telephone or on video conferencing software. This guide is designed to help you through the process and includes helpful information on how to prepare for the hearing, how to join a hearing and what to do during the hearing.
As with most things in life, there are positives and negatives of McKenzie Friends, as personal e...
Feedback on the Judicial Executive Board’s consultation on McKenzie Friends shows there is still ...
Resolution members have increasingly found they must work with litigants in person (LiPs).
Making sure LiPs know the purpose of individual hearings on the day, as well as – more generally ...