Written by Advicenow
This short film looks at how to represent yourself in court about a family problem if you do not have a lawyer. It deals with the things you may be worrying about and shows you simple tips that will help you put your side as well as you can.
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How to represent yourself in the family court
This is just one of our resources to help you manage your separation and divorce, and save you stress and money.
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We made this short film because we know that going to court without a solicitor is a very frightening and stressful experience and we want to help.
It looks at the questions people who have represented themselves told us they worried about most, and shows you simple tips that you can use to put your side as well as you can.
Produced - April 2019
Reviewed September 2022
Reviewed September 2024
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About this film
Disclaimer
The information in this guide applies to England and Wales and is for general purposes only. The law may be different if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
The law is complicated. We have simplified things in the guide to give you an idea of how the law applies to you. Please don't rely on this guide as a complete statement of the law or as a substitute for getting legal advice about what to do in the specific circumstances of your case.
The quotes and cases we refer to are not always real but show a typical situation. We hope they help you think about how to deal with your own situation.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Family Justice Council for funding this short film. We would like to thank all those who provided feedback on the script.
This film was reviewed thanks to funding from Litigant in Person Support Strategy.
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
representing yourself in family court
Found this useful
advice now on the 02 / 10 / 2024
representing yourself in family court
Found this very useful
on the 02 / 10 / 2024
Truly invaluable - Thank you!
Watching your film helped me realise things that I stood no chance of comprehending otherwise because of being neurodivergent. I cannot thank you enough for your idea to make and put this film on your website. Bless you. It speaks volumes about how genuinely committed you are to helping "litigants-in-person" use the posh expression for us who cannot afford representation!
Nick on the 13 / 07 / 2024
Represent yourself
Excellent helpful video
Thank you
Benn Blanco on the 22 / 11 / 2023
Video/ family court behaviour
Only site where you (as a man off the street) are given an insight/ understanding of what/how to prepare for a family court hearing. Daunting entering a strange/ unseen environment, and trying to put your side of the case when your ex partner has professional solicitor representing them against you.
Thank you so much for this useful guide
W. PHILLIPS on the 11 / 07 / 2023
Very helpful
This really made me think! I will try an compose myself in court. I feel less nervous now after seeing this, thank you!
Annika on the 25 / 06 / 2023
Great advice
I'm representing myself in family court for my grandson and I'm all prepared with notes and the original documents , I'm so nervous but I will stay calm and do the best I can for him
Diane Turner on the 18 / 06 / 2023
child contact extension
the other year we were in court from January 2nd /March /MAY etc up till October because our son .We took a solicitor but it did no good so this year as he has started again i am going it alone and hoping to do better and a lot cheaper after watching the short film i can now get organised yahooo
Special Guardian Order grandparent age 75 thank you very much on the 10 / 05 / 2021
Great advice - thanks
Having my first family court appearance next week via telephone, but much of this advice holds. Can't afford representation so this is really helpful.
SD on the 09 / 12 / 2020
Advice video
Really good advice, clear to understand and user friendly
on the 27 / 01 / 2020
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