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
- Guide to Pro Bono and Other Free Advice
- 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
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
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
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