How to manage in court as a litigant in person

Help For Litigants In Person

A litigant in person is an individual that is not represented in court by a solicitor or barrister, but nevertheless has rights of audience (this is, the right to address the court in person). Below is a list of links that I very much hope will help you if you are acting as a litigant in person in respect to a Family Law issue, a Relationship Breakdown or Divorce.

Advice Services

• The Litigant In Person Network

• Resolution – First For Family Law

• Resolution – Separating Together

• Citizens Advice Bureau – Relationships

• Money Advice Service During Divorce & Separation

• Bar Pro Bono Unit

• CourtNav – Helping you navigate your way through court

• Temple Legal Centre: Free Family Law Clinic

• The Personal Support Unit

Legal Aid Information

• Legal Aid Entitlement Checker

• Legal Aid For Victims of Domestic Violence

Government Information

• Get a divorce

• GOV.UK – Find the right court or tribunal

• Sorting Out Separation

• Marriage, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation

• Domestic Violence: Coercive or Controlling Behaviour Guidance

Women Specific Help

• Domestic Abuse and Money

• Rights of Women

• Only Mums

Child Specific Help

• Splitting Up? Put Kids First

• Resolution – Useful resources for parents

• Gingerbread – Gingerbread For Single Parents

• Kids In The Middle

• Cafcass – Putting children and young people first in the family courts

• Family Law Questions – Custody or Residence of a Child

• Resolution – Separation and divorce – Helping parents to help children

• Parenting Plan

Mediation

• Family mediation council – find your local mediator

Guides For Litigants In Persons

• Royal Courts Of Justice Advice Guides

• Bar Council Guide to “Representing Yourself In Court”

• The Law Society – Notes for litigants in person

• Practice Direction – Family Law Proceedings: Court Bundles

• The Supreme Court – Guide to proceedings for those without a legal representative

• How To Represent Yourself In Court

• Marilyn Stowe – Divorce & Splitting Up

• Lucy Reed – The Family Court without a Lawyer – A Handbook for Litigants in Person

• DIY Divorce and Separation – The Expert Guide to Representing Yourself

• Family Court Information

• Family Justice Council Guide to Finances on Separation

• Vardags Family Law Guide

Video Guides

• The Family Court without a Lawyer – Part 1

• The Family Court without a Lawyer – Part 2

• The Family Court without a Lawyer – Part 3

• When you arrive for your county court hearing

• How to represent yourself in family court in England and Wales

• How to fill in your financial statement (Form E) – England and Wales

• The role of your lawyer in mediation

• Working with you and your children

Child Arrangement Orders (formerly known as Residence and Contact Orders)

• Practice Direction 12B – Child Arrangements Programme

• Child arrangement programme

• Child arrangement programme flowchart

• Practice Direction 12J – Child Arrangements & Contact Order: Domestic Violence and Harm

Divorce and finances

• Advice Now – Sorting out your finances when you get divorced

• SavvyWoman – Divorce and Breakup

• Divorce and Separation

• Guidance on Financial Needs on Divorce

• Guide To The Treatment of Pensions on Divorce