What is Parental Responsibility? If your child was born after 1st December 2003, you weren’t married to your ex and he’s not on the birth certificate, he can apply to the court for Parental Responsibility. Legally defined parental responsibility (PR) means, “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of […]
Emotion & Reason – 5 Steps to Creating a Balanced Argument
To give yourself the best chance of success in family court you have to handle your feelings. Solicitors are effective because they have no emotional ties to the people they represent. This is not the case for you, and it certainly wasn’t the case for me. I found controlling my emotions to be the hardest […]
Court Orders – What are they and what do they mean?
In family proceedings the court’s decision will be in the form of a Order. Court Orders are mandatory instructions from the court that you must abide by. In most cases, it’s the parents of the child who make an application to the court for an Order. However, the Children’s Act does allow for someone other […]
The Welfare Checklist
What is ‘The Welfare Checklist’? The Welfare Checklist is a list of 7 criteria that the courts use when making decisions during family law proceedings. It can be found fully in section one of the Children’s Act 1989: The ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child – in light of their age and understanding. The […]
CAFCASS – What every Litigant Mother needs to know
CAFCASS are involved in your case from the beginning. As a Litigant it is important to know who CAFCASS are, what role they play and how they can affect your case. Who are they? CAFCASS – the Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service, is responsible for advising the magistrates on what is in the […]
Family Court: Prepare and Organize Your Case
The prospect of handling your own case without the services of a solicitor is daunting for anyone. While it’s tempting to bury your head in the sand, ignoring the court is the easiest way to ensure that your ex gets exactly what he is asking the court for. Don’t panic! Fairness is important in family […]
What to Expect at Family Court without a Solicitor
, Family court without a solicitor can be an intimidating place so it’s important to know what to expect. Unfamiliar surroundings, tension with the other party; not to mention the stress of representing your own case. For a litigant in heels who is under pressure or at a loss, I thought I’d share the main […]
Contact—Whose right is it anyway?
At family court, disagreements over contact are common. Representing yourself can be made easier by accepting, every child has the right to a relationship with both parents—so long as it doesn’t bring them harm. It isn’t about what’s best for you or what’s best for your ex. As difficult as it may be, a contact case […]
