Feb 2 • Templates & Checklists
⏱️ Pre-Hearing Checklist (48 Hours Before Court) Litigants in Person – England & Wales
The final 48 hours before a family court hearing are not the time to rethink your entire case.
They are the time to:
- check compliance
- tighten focus
- reduce avoidable stress
- arrive prepared, calm, and credible
This checklist is designed to help you do exactly that.
48–24 HOURS BEFORE THE HEARING
1️⃣ Confirm the basics (do not assume)
- I know the date and time of the hearing
- I know whether it is remote or in person
- I know how to join (link / phone / courtroom)
- I know who will be attending (judge, Cafcass, parties)
- I know how long the hearing is listed for
If anything is unclear, check the last court order or court email now — not on the morning of the hearing.
2️⃣ Check compliance with directions
Re-read the last court order, line by line.
- I have complied with all directions that apply to me
- I have filed what I was required to file
- I have served what I was required to serve
- Deadlines were met, or an explanation was given in advance
If you have not complied:
- be ready to explain briefly and calmly
- do not over-justify or blame
Judges care about honesty and responsibility.
3️⃣ Final document check (critical)
Make sure you have immediate access to:
- The latest court order
- The bundle (final version)
- Your position statement
- Your chronology
- Any Cafcass report or letter
If remote, have these open or bookmarked. If in person, print or organise them.
Do not rely on searching emails mid-hearing.
4️⃣ Re-read your position statement (slowly)
Ask yourself:
- Can I still stand by this calmly?
- Is it focused on this hearing?
- Does it ask the court for something realistic today?
Do not rewrite it at the last minute unless something material has changed.
Late changes create confusion.
24–12 HOURS BEFORE THE HEARING
5️⃣ Prepare your “60-second summary”
You should be able to answer these aloud:
- What is this hearing for?
- What am I asking the court to do today?
- Why does it matter to the child / case management?
Write this in bullet points. This is your anchor if you feel nervous.
6️⃣ Prepare for likely questions
Judges often ask:
- “What are you seeking today?”
- “What is the difficulty?”
- “What do you say should happen next?”
Prepare short, direct answers. Avoid speeches.
7️⃣ Practical arrangements
Remote hearing
- Internet tested
- Device charged
- Microphone and camera checked
- Quiet space arranged
- Joined early if possible
In-person hearing
- Court address confirmed
- Travel planned with buffer time
- Documents organised
- Water, notebook, pen packed
Dress professional-neutral. You are not performing — you are assisting the court.
THE EVENING BEFORE
8️⃣ Stop gathering evidence
This is important.
Unless the court has directed otherwise:
- do not keep adding documents
- do not send late emails to the court
- do not try to “fix” everything
Last-minute evidence rarely helps and often irritates the court.
9️⃣ Mental reset
You cannot control:
- what the other party says
- what Cafcass recommends
- the judge’s provisional view
You can control:
- your preparation
- your tone
- your clarity
Remind yourself:
This hearing is one step in a process, not the entire case.
ON THE DAY (FINAL CHECK)
- Join / arrive early
- Mute when not speaking (remote)
- Take notes
- Listen carefully to directions
- Ask for clarification if unsure
If you do not understand something, say so politely.That is not weakness — it is sensible.
COMMON LAST-MINUTE MISTAKES TO AVOID
- Sending panicked emails to the court
- Submitting new documents without permission
- Interrupting the judge
- Re-arguing history
- Speaking emotionally instead of procedurally
Calm, focused litigants are easier for courts to work with.
AFTER THE HEARING (VERY IMPORTANT)
As soon as possible, write down:
- What orders were made
- What deadlines now apply
- What the next hearing is for (if listed)
- What you need to prepare next
This prevents confusion and anxiety later.
Final reassurance
You do not need to be perfect. You need to be prepared, organised, and credible.
If you have followed this checklist, you have done what is reasonably expected of a litigant in person.
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⏱️ Pre-Hearing Checklist (48 Hours Before Court) Litigants in Person – England & Wales
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Procedural guidance for litigants in person navigating the family court system in England & Wales. Preparation, structure, clarity.
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