You are not at a disadvantage
Judges are trained to make sure you get a fair hearing, whether you have a lawyer or not. This page helps you walk in prepared.
Crisis support and helplines: see the wellbeing pageRepresenting yourself in court
A practical walkthrough for litigants in person. What to do before your hearing, on the day, how to address the judge, and what happens after you leave the courtroom.
of family cases
39%
neither party has a lawyer
of every document
3 copies
minimum to bring
arrive early
30 mins
find the usher first
Support Through Court
Free
check if at your court
Before the hearing
Tell the court
If your solicitor - A lawyer who manages your case day to day, handles paperwork, gives legal advice, and instructs a barrister when needed. Unlike barristers, solicitors deal with you directly and handle the ongoing relationship. has come off the record, write to the court and confirm you are now acting in person.
Prepare your documents
Bring your bundle - An organised file of all the documents the court needs for a hearing, indexed and paginated. Both parties usually need to agree on its contents., your position statement - A short document you give to the judge at the start of a hearing summarising your position, what you’re asking for, and any key issues. Usually 1-2 pages. - A short document you give to the judge at the start of a hearing summarising your position, what you’re asking for, and any key issues. Usually 1-2 pages. if ordered, and any existing court orders. At least 3 copies of everything: one for you, one for the judge, one for the other side.
Know what the hearing is for
Every hearing has a purpose. Check the court order that listed it. The purpose is in the directions - A list of instructions from the judge telling both parties what they need to do before the next hearing, and by when. For example, filing statements or attending mediation. - A list of instructions from the judge telling both parties what they need to do before the next hearing, and by when. For example, filing statements or attending mediation..
Check for Support Through Court
Free volunteers who can sit with you, help with forms, and explain the process. Not legal advice, but incredibly useful. Check their website before your hearing.
Consider a one-off lawyer
A direct access barrister - A way of hiring a barrister directly without going through a solicitor first. Can save money if you only need help with a specific hearing or document. - A way of hiring a barrister directly without going through a solicitor first. Can save money if you only need help with a specific hearing or document. can cover a single hearing. An unbundled solicitor - Hiring a solicitor or barrister for specific tasks only, such as reviewing a document or preparing a position statement, rather than running your whole case. A cheaper alternative to full representation. - Hiring a solicitor or barrister for specific tasks only, such as reviewing a document or preparing a position statement, rather than running your whole case. A cheaper alternative to full representation. can review your documents. This is not all or nothing.
On the day
The sequence you will move through, start to finish.
- Arrive
- Security
- Find usher - A member of court staff who manages the practical running of the courtroom. They call cases, administer oaths, pass documents to the judge, and help keep things moving. Also called the usher.
- Wait
- Called in
- Hearing
- Leave
- 1. Arrive
- 2. Security
- 3. Find usher
- 4. Wait
- 5. Called in
- 6. Hearing
- 7. Leave
Turn your phone off. Not silent. Off.
Bring a pen and paper. Write down anything the judge says you need to do.
If you do not understand something, say so. Judges expect this. It will not count against you.
If you need a break, ask. Courts will usually allow a short adjournment - A pause or postponement of a hearing, either for a short break during the day or to a later date. You can ask the judge for one if you need time to compose yourself or read a document. - A pause or postponement of a hearing, either for a short break during the day or to a later date. You can ask the judge for one if you need time to compose yourself or read a document..
Addressing the judge
Courtroom address reference
Family Court - The court that handles family cases including divorce, children arrangements, financial orders, protection orders, and adoption. Less formal than other courts: the judge usually wears a suit, not robes. (District Judge - A full-time, legally qualified judge who sits alone. In family court, District Judges handle most cases and wear a suit rather than robes. Address them as "Sir" or "Madam.")
"Sir" or "Madam"
Not "Your Honour"
Family Court (Circuit Judge - A senior judge who sits in Crown Court and County Court. They wear robes and sometimes a wig. Address them as "Your Honour.")
"Your Honour"
High Court (Family Division)
"My Lord" or "My Lady"
Magistrates' Court - A court that handles less serious criminal cases, some family matters, and bail hearings. Cases are decided by a panel of 3 volunteer magistrates or a District Judge. Magistrates handle about 95% of criminal cases in England and Wales.
"Sir" or "Madam"
To the chairperson
Stand when the judge enters and leaves. If you forget any of this, nobody will hold it against you.
After the hearing
The first ten minutes after you leave the courtroom matter. Three things, in order.
Judge ordered
Section 7 report - A detailed welfare report written by Cafcass after the first hearing if the court needs more information before making a decision about a child. by 18 July
My next step
File witness statement, 21 days
Next hearing
DRA - Dispute Resolution Appointment. A second hearing if agreement was not reached at the FHDRA. The judge reviews progress and may set a timetable for a final hearing., 9 September, 10:00
Write it down
Before you leave the building, jot down what the judge ordered, your deadlines, and the date of any next hearing. Memory fades fast.
Take your paperwork
You are the data controller - Under UK data protection law, the person or organisation responsible for how personal information is stored and handled. Your court bundle contains personal data, so the copies you hold are your responsibility to keep safe or destroy. - Under UK data protection law, the person or organisation responsible for how personal information is stored and handled. Your court bundle contains personal data, so the copies you hold are your responsibility to keep safe or destroy. for your copies. Check your seat, the desk, any shelves; papers left behind can be reported as a data breach.
Read the sealed order
The written order arrives within a few days. If anything does not match what you understood, contact the court at once. Corrections have a time limit.
If the other side has a lawyer
This is common. The judge knows about the imbalance and is required to make sure you get a fair hearing.
The other side’s barrister - A specialist courtroom advocate who speaks on behalf of a party in court. Barristers are usually hired for specific hearings and instructed by a solicitor. In Crown Court they wear a wig and gown; in family court they wear a suit. - A specialist courtroom advocate who speaks on behalf of a party in court. Barristers are usually hired for specific hearings and instructed by a solicitor. In Crown Court they wear a wig and gown; in family court they wear a suit. may ask to talk in the corridor before the hearing. You can say “I would rather discuss this in front of the judge.”
A solicitor’s letter you do not understand is not a letter to ignore. Some contain real deadlines. Get advice on that specific letter.
Smith & Co Solicitors
Dear Madam,
We act for the Respondent - The person responding to a court application. In family cases, this is the person who did not start the proceedings. Being the respondent does not put you at a disadvantage. in the above matter. Our client requires your response to the attached proposal by 4pm on 28 May. Failing your timely reply, we shall have no alternative but to make a formal application to the court and seek the costs of that application against you.
Yours faithfully,
Smith & Co
95% of preparation happens before you walk through the door. The hearing itself is the last 5%. Focus on what you can control.
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