How to Prepare for a Family Court Hearing

Going to the Family Court can feel overwhelming. This guide is designed to make it less so.

Written by Jason Hadden MBE, a family law barrister with almost 30 years’ experience, How to Prepare for a Family Court Hearing is a practical, straightforward guide for parents navigating private children proceedings in England and Wales.

It explains what actually happens in the Family Court, what the judge is looking for, how to prepare your case and how to avoid some of the mistakes Jason has seen parents make during decades of appearing in court.

The guide covers C100 applications, MIAMs, Cafcass, position statements, evidence, domestic abuse and PD12J, fact-finding hearings, Section 7 reports, Pathfinder, the welfare checklist, final hearings, court orders, enforcement and appeals.

It also deals with the questions parents often worry about most: What should I say to Cafcass? What evidence should I take? What happens on the day? What if I am frightened of the other parent? What if my child does not want contact? What happens if an order is breached?

Throughout the guide, Jason includes practical “From the Bar” observations drawn from his experience in the Family Court.

This is not a legal textbook. It is a guide written to be picked up, understood and used.

You do not need to sound like a barrister.

You need to understand what the court is deciding, prepare properly and keep the focus where it belongs — on your child.