Family Court Preparation Pack, A Practical Workbook for Parents Representing Themselves

PD12J & Domestic Abuse in Private Law Children Proceedings, A Practical Court Preparation Guide

£5.99

If domestic abuse has been raised in private family court proceedings, whether you are the person making the allegations or the person responding to them, it can feel incredibly difficult to know what the court expects, what evidence matters, and how to prepare properly.

This detailed 85-page practical guide explains Practice Direction 12J, domestic abuse allegations, fact-finding hearings and child arrangements proceedings in clear, straightforward language.

It has been written to help parents and litigants in person understand the process from both sides of the case, without assuming that allegations are automatically true or automatically false.

Inside, you will learn about:

What PD12J is and when it applies

The legal definition of domestic abuse

Coercive and controlling behaviour

How children can be affected by domestic abuse

The difference between an allegation, admission and court finding

The civil standard of proof, the balance of probabilities

C100 and C1A applications

Cafcass safeguarding checks

Preparing for the FHDRA

When a fact-finding hearing may be necessary

How to prepare allegations properly

How to respond to allegations properly

Scott Schedules and pattern-based allegations

Chronologies and evidence schedules

Police evidence, NFA decisions and criminal proceedings

Messages, emails, medical records, social services records and other evidence

Disclosure

Witness evidence

Special measures and participation directions

Restrictions on direct cross-examination

Giving evidence at a fact-finding hearing

How credibility and inconsistencies may be considered

What happens when allegations are proved or not proved

Section 7 reports

The Children Act 1989 welfare checklist

Interim contact

Supervised and supported contact

Indirect contact

Domestic abuse intervention work

Section 91(14) orders

Final hearings

Enforcement

Appeals

Preparing for court as a litigant in person

The guide also contains practical preparation tools, including:

allegation templates

response templates

evidence-index templates

chronology guidance

hearing preparation checklists

position statement guidance

practical tips for presenting your case clearly and effectively

This is designed to be something you can read, highlight, print and take with you while preparing your case.

Whether you are worried that domestic abuse has not been taken seriously, or you are facing allegations that you dispute, this guide helps you understand the legal process and prepare your case in a structured, child-focused way.

Digital PDF download, £5.99

Published by In Your Corner

This guide provides general legal information for England and Wales and is not a substitute for individual legal advice.