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?

Why pagination matters more than you think Pagination is not cosmetic. It is how the court navigates your case. If a judge cannot quickly find what you are referring to, one of three things happens: - the point is missed - the hearing is slowed - your credibility drops Good pagination makes you easier to deal with. That matters. What pagination actually means Pagination means numbering every page of the bundle in a clear, consistent way, so that everyone in the hearing is literally on the same page. It is not: - numbering each document separately - restarting page numbers without explanation - relying on PDF thumbnails The two acceptable pagination methods Unless the court directs otherwise, you should use one of the following: ✅ Method 1: Continuous pagination (most common) The entire bundle is numbered sequentially: - Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - etc. This is simple and usually preferred for smaller bundles. ✅ Method 2: Section-based pagination Each section has its own letter and numbering: - A1, A2, A3 - B1, B2, B3 - C1, C2, C3 This works well for larger or more complex bundles and aligns neatly with a bundle index. Pick one method and stick to it Do not mix methods. Do not: - use page numbers in one document - exhibit numbers in another - and PDF auto-numbering on top Inconsistency creates confusion very quickly. How to paginate in practice (simple approach) If you are creating the bundle yourself: 1. Combine documents into one PDF (if directed) 2. Decide on your pagination method 3. Add page numbers before filing 4. Check that the numbers: Always open the final PDF and scroll through it before sending. How to reference documents correctly in writing When referring to documents in: - a position statement - a hearing - written submissions You should reference them like this: “As shown in the chronology at page E3…”“This is addressed in the Applicant’s statement at paragraph 12, page C5.”“The email dated 14 March 2024 appears at page F12.”

What a bundle is (in plain terms) A court bundle is simply the organised set of documents the judge will read before and during a hearing. It is not: - a dumping ground for everything you have - a place to prove you are right - a record of every message ever sent A good bundle helps the judge understand the case quickly and efficiently. A bad bundle overwhelms the judge and undermines your credibility. Why bundle structure matters Judges are time-limited.They do not read documents in full the way litigants expect. They look for: - structure - relevance - compliance with directions If your bundle is chaotic, repetitive, or bloated, the court may: - skim - miss key points - restrict how much it will consider Good structure makes your case easier to manage — which matters. The default family court bundle structure Unless the court directs otherwise, a private law family court bundle is usually structured like this: Section A — Case Overview (Short, orienting documents) - Latest case summary or case map (if filed) - Latest position statement(s) - Case management orders Purpose: To tell the judge what this hearing is about. Section B — Applications & Orders (Formal procedural documents) - Application form(s) (e.g. C100, C1A) - All relevant court orders (in date order, most recent first) Purpose: To show what has been applied for and what the court has already directed. Section C — Statements (Evidence in narrative form) - Applicant’s statement(s) - Respondent’s statement(s) Only include: - statements directed by the court - the latest versions (unless earlier versions are relevant) Purpose: To present each party’s evidence clearly. Section D — Cafcass / Reports (Independent professional material) - Safeguarding letter - Section 7 report - Any addendum reports Purpose: To give the court professional input and recommendations. Section E — Chronology & Schedules (Orientation tools)

A chronology is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — documents in family court proceedings. Its purpose is not to argue your case, but to give the court a clear, neutral timeline of key events so that judges and professionals can quickly understand what happened, when it happened, and why it matters. This template is designed specifically for litigants in person. It helps you present events concisely, factually, and proportionately, without emotional language or unnecessary detail. Used properly, a good chronology improves judicial understanding, supports case management, and prevents important points being lost in long statements or bundles. This document is suitable for use alongside position statements, witness statements, and court bundles, and should be kept short, accurate, and focused on relevance to the issues before the court.

Purpose: A position statement is a short document to help the judge understand what this hearing is for, what you are asking the court to do today, and what the real issues are.It is not your life story. It is not a replacement for evidence. 🔹 HOW TO USE THIS TEMPLATE (READ FIRST) - Keep it 1–2 pages (3 only if unavoidable) - Use plain, neutral language - Number your paragraphs - File and serve it in accordance with the court’s directions - Replace all bracketed text with your own details If you cannot explain something clearly in writing, the court will struggle to deal with it orally. POSITION STATEMENT Case details Court: [Name of Family Court] Case number: [e.g. AB12C345] Hearing date: [DD/MM/YYYY] Type of hearing: [e.g. First Hearing / Review / Fact-finding / Final Hearing] Applicant: [Your initials only if filing publicly]Respondent: [Other party’s initials only] Children: - [Child A – year of birth] - [Child B – year of birth] Purpose of today’s hearing 1. This is a [type of hearing]. 2. The purpose of today’s hearing is for the court to: (Be precise. Avoid “to resolve everything”.) Orders / directions sought today 3. The Applicant/Respondent respectfully seeks the following orders or directions today: 4. These are sought because: What is agreed 5. The following matters are agreed between the parties (if any): (If nothing is agreed, state: “There are currently no agreed issues.”) What is in dispute 6. The key issues in dispute for the court’s consideration are: 7. These issues are relevant because they relate to: Safeguarding / welfare summary (if relevant) 8. The Applicant/Respondent summarises safeguarding or welfare concerns as follows: 9. These concerns are said to impact the children because: (Avoid emotional language. Avoid diagnosis. Stick to observable facts.) Evidence relied upon (brief) 10. The Applicant/Respondent relies on the following key documents: