How to prepare for a family court hearing — practical tips and documents checklist

Introduction

Attending a family court hearing feels stressful but good preparation reduces anxiety and improves outcomes. The court expects clear evidence, focused submissions and professional conduct. This guide gives realistic, court‑centred advice on what to do before, during and after a family hearing. It includes a detailed documents checklist, drafting tips for witness statements and practical steps to protect your child’s welfare and your legal position.

Understand the type of hearing you face

Identify the hearing stage

Family hearings vary. Common early hearings include the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment for children or the First Directions Appointment for financial remedies. The court also lists interim hearings, fact finding hearings, FDRs and final hearings or trials. Check your court papers to confirm the hearing type and the likely duration.

Read the court order and directions

The judge’s directions set the timetable for documents disclosure expert reports witness statements and hearing bundles. Follow the directions strictly. Missing deadlines undermines credibility and can delay the case.

Get legal advice and know your options

Seek specialist family law advice from us early

As solicitor with family court experience we help you focus issues, prepare evidence and understand risk.

Consider mediation or negotiation

Before trial think about mediation, collaborative law or conciliation. Judges expect parties to have explored alternative dispute resolution where appropriate. Even late negotiations before a hearing can settle matters and save time.

Prepare your case plan and short chronology

Create a clear case plan

List the specific outcomes you seek and the legal or factual points you must prove. Keep the focus narrow. Courts decide on the balance of probabilities and on children’s welfare, so tailor your evidence to those factors.

Draft a short, dated chronology

Produce a one‑page timeline of key events with dates and short factual notes. Use the chronology at court to help the judge and to structure your witness statement.

Drafting effective witness statements

Write a witness statement that tells the court a coherent story

Witness statements form the backbone of family hearings. Draft statements in chronological order with short paragraphs. State facts simply, provide dates and avoid speculation, argument or legal submission in the body of the statement.

Include key elements

– Start with the declaratory paragraph and your full name age and relationship to the child or parties.

– Set out facts plainly, using numbered paragraphs and dates.

– Cross‑refer to exhibits such as messages, photos or reports.

– Explain the impact on any child including routines schooling and health.

– End with a short statement of the orders you ask the court to make and why they meet the child’s welfare or justice needs.

Keep tone factual and calm

Avoid emotive language, ranting or personal attacks. Judges value credibility and measured evidence. If you must describe abusive or disturbing events present them in a restrained factual tone with supporting documents.

Prepare your child’s evidence carefully

Children rarely give evidence unless necessary

Where the court needs the child’s views it will often obtain a Cafcass report or use a safeguarded interview. If the child will attend or give evidence follow the court’s guidance and discuss special measures early.

Use child‑centred documents

Provide up‑to‑date school reports, medical notes or professional assessments that explain any special needs or vulnerability. Ask professionals to prepare short statements where relevant.

Assemble a complete documents bundle

Create an indexed hearing bundle

Produce a paginated hearing bundle that includes only the documents the court needs. Judges dislike excessive bundles. Index the bundle and number pages consecutively. Use tabs or a contents sheet for easy navigation.

Essential contents for most hearings

– Court orders and application forms

– Chronology and list of issues

– Witness statements and signed exhibits such as messages photos or medical records

– School reports, letters from professionals and social services documents

– Police reports and crime reference numbers where relevant

– Form E and supporting financial documents in financial remedy cases

– Expert reports such as psychological assessments or valuations where ordered

– Proposed orders or draft consent orders where appropriate

Prepare trial bundles separately

If the case goes to a final hearing prepare a trial bundle that includes authorities, chronologies, witness statements, agreed facts and disputed issues bundles. Share bundles with the other party by the date in the directions.

Disclose fully and honestly

Comply with disclosure directions

Family courts require full and frank disclosure of documents. Produce bank statements payslips pension records mortgage documents tenancy agreements and any other materials the judge may need to decide fairly. Late disclosure damages trust and risks costs or adverse findings.

Deal with digital evidence properly

Save electronic evidence such as emails texts screenshots and social media exchanges in original form where possible. Add metadata or screenshots with timestamps and a witness statement explaining how you preserved the data.

Prepare witnesses and experts

Coach witnesses on courtroom process

Speak with witnesses in advance so they understand the nature of evidence and the importance of factual, concise answers. Explain court etiquette and timings but do not script answers.

Agree experts where possible

Where the court orders experts try to agree a single joint expert or a narrow brief. Joint appointments save cost and reduce duplication. Give experts clear instructions and ensure they meet deadlines.

Plan for logistics and practicalities

Know the hearing location and times

Check the court name room number and start time. Arrive early, allow time for security checks and sign in at reception. Bring phone chargers documents and any medication.

Childcare and caring arrangements

Arrange childcare or support for other dependants on the hearing day. If attendance imposes hardship ask the court for flexible timing or a remote hearing option where appropriate.

Dress and conduct at court

Dress smartly and behave respectfully

Wear tidy, business casual clothes. Courts value respectful demeanour, punctuality and calm. Switch off phones and avoid confrontational behaviour in court corridors.

Prepare submissions and skeleton arguments

Write a short skeleton argument

For contested hearings prepare a concise skeleton argument that sets out the legal framework, the points of dispute and the remedies sought. Use headings and numbering. Courts appreciate focused submissions that cut to the issues.

Practice oral submissions

Prepare a 2–3 minute opening that summarises your position and the factual basis. Lead counsel usually presents fuller submissions but even litigants in person benefit from brief, organised oral points.

Address safety and confidentiality concerns

If you fear abuse or harassment seek special measures

Ask the court for anonymity, separate waiting rooms or video link if safety concerns exist. Provide evidence to justify special measures such as police reports or social services letters.

Protect sensitive information

Redact sensitive personal details where appropriate when you file documents. Ask the court to seal parts of the bundle or to hold a private hearing for particularly sensitive evidence.

Manage costs and funding

Estimate likely costs and choose cost effective steps

Litigation can become expensive quickly. Get a realistic costs estimate from your solicitor and consider cheaper alternatives such as mediation, early neutral evaluation or narrowing issues before the hearing.

Consider pro bono, fixed fee and legal aid options

If funds are limited explore pro bono clinics, law centres and legal aid for qualifying cases such as domestic abuse or child protection applications.

Prepare for enforcement and next steps

Plan practical implementation of orders

Think about how the court’s order will operate in practice and prepare for enforcement if the other party disobeys. Keep contemporaneous records of contact, breaches and expenses to support any future enforcement application.

After the hearing: immediate actions

Obtain sealed orders and check terms

Ask the court office for sealed copies of the order and check the wording. If the judge gives oral directions get them in writing promptly.

Comply and monitor

Comply with the order and monitor the other party’s compliance. Keep records of any breaches and communicate concerns through your solicitor or the court if necessary.

Self care and support

Hearings drain energy

Seek support from family, friends or professional counselling after a hearing. Use practical supports such as childcare, time off work and therapy for children who may have found the process stressful.

Documents checklist for family court hearings (printable)

Identification and basic documents

– Valid photo ID (passport or driving licence)

– Proof of address (utility bill council tax or bank statement)

– Birth certificates for children or relevant family documents

Court forms and orders

– Application forms (C100, Form A, Form E or other)

– MIAM certificate where applicable

– Any interim or final court orders

Chronology and case documents

– One‑page chronology with key dates

– List of issues for the court

Witness statements and exhibits

– Signed witness statements with exhibit tabs

– Original or certified copies of messages emails and social media screenshots

– Photographs with dated evidence

Child and welfare records

– School reports attendance records and letters from teachers

– GP or hospital records and therapy notes where relevant

– Safeguarding reports, social services documents and Cafcass reports

Financial documents (financial remedy cases)

– Form E and supporting bank statements payslips tax returns mortgage documents pension statements and business accounts

Expert and professional reports

– Psychological reports, medical assessments and valuation reports

– Statements from contact centres or supervised contact referrals

Police and criminal records

– Crime reference numbers police reports and protective order documentation

Practical items for court

– Paginated hearing bundle indexed and multiple copies for judge and other parties

– Notebook and pens, spare copies of key documents and directions list

– Water bottle, medication and any items required for children if they attend

Conclusion

Thorough preparation helps you present a focused, credible case to the family court. Follow directions, disclose fully, prepare clear witness statements and assemble a paginated bundle that highlights the facts the judge needs. Manage logistics, address safety issues early and seek professional advice when required. Careful preparation improves your prospects and reduces stress for you and your children.

If you want a downloadable checklist, a sample fact chronology or a model witness statement tailored to your case I can prepare them next.

At Alexander JLO we have many years of experience of dealing with all aspects of family law and will be happy to discuss your case in a free no obligation consultation. Why not call us on +44 (0)20 7537 7000, email us at info@london-law.co.uk or get in touch via the contact us button and see what we can do for you?

This blog was prepared by Alexander JLO’s senior partner, Peter Johnson on 25th November 2025 and is correct at the time of publication. With decades of experience in almost all areas of law Peter is happy to assist with any legal issue that you have. He is widely regarded as one of London’s leading divorce lawyers. His profile on the independent Review Solicitor website can be found Here