The procedural rules for family proceedings in the High Court, County Courts and Magistrates’ Courts. They are supplemented by dedicated Practice Directions and forms.

Ensuring a copy of the court statement is on the court file.  This typically means visiting the court office, paying a filing fee, and submitting the document to be filed (usually the original and two copies).

A hearing to decide any significant facts which are in dispute so that interim decisions can be made regarding contact or an exert witness can carry out an assessment (such as a Cafcass officer preparing a section 7 report). This usually involves determining allegations of domestic abuse or substance misuse.  

The first hearing in a case for a child arrangements order.  The court will consider the safeguarding information, identify the issues and encourage the parties to try to resolve matters by agreement.  If this is not possible, the court will make directions to enable the matter to proceed to a fuller hearing.

Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors is a project bringing together a team of experts from the Family Team of the Royal Courts of Justice RCJ Advice, working in partnership with Rights of Women. They provide a network of trusted and fully vetted advisers to provide legal advice for domestic abuse survivors.  For further information please see https://www.flows.org.uk/.