Litigants in Person: More Common Than You Think
The majority of people who go through the family court in England and Wales are litigants in person. This is not a disadvantage in itself. Family court judges have a duty to ensure proceedings are fair for unrepresented parties. What matters is preparation.
A well-prepared litigant in person who understands the process, presents their case clearly, and focuses on what the court needs to hear, will be taken more seriously than a poorly prepared one who has spent a great deal of money on a solicitor.
What the Family Court Expects From You
The family court does not expect you to be a lawyer. It does expect you to be organised, to have read the relevant documents, to understand what hearing you are attending and its purpose, and to be able to answer questions about your position clearly.
Judges make allowances for the fact that you are unrepresented. They do not make allowances for a failure to read the case papers, a failure to comply with court directions, or conduct that wastes the court's time.
Nobody cares more about the outcome of your case than you do. That is your greatest strength. The knowledge to use it effectively is what makes the difference.
Going it Alone, Solicitor-Assisted, or Informed Client
Be Your Best Lawyer serves three types of user: full litigants in person, people using a solicitor for specific tasks only, and those with a solicitor who want to understand what is happening. The How It Works page explains all three.
The Documents You Will Need
In child arrangements proceedings, the key documents are the C100 application, position statements, witness statements, and any expert reports. In financial remedy proceedings, Form E is the central document. BYBL has completion guides for both C100 and Form E.
At the Hearing: How to Present Your Case
Keep submissions focused on the issue before the court at that hearing. Do not use hearing time to relitigate every grievance. Say what the court needs to hear to make the decision it needs to make, and stop.
Judges are looking for parents who are focused on the children's welfare and can engage constructively with the process. Emotion, lengthy submissions, and attacks on the other party's character are not impressive.
The Solicitor-Assisted Model
You do not have to choose between full legal representation and going it entirely alone. Drafting your own documents and paying a solicitor to review them can reduce your legal bill by 70% or more. A solicitor charges £250 to review a witness statement and £1,500 to draft one. Using BYBL templates to draft it and paying for a review produces the same outcome at a fraction of the cost.