Barrister – A person who is qualified in law and specialises in representing people at court.
C
C100 – The code name for the application form you need to fill out if you want to apply to the court for a child arrangements order.
CAFCASS – Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. They advise the court on what is best for the child.
D
DRA – Dispute Resolution Appointment. The hearing subsequent to a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA). The purpose of this hearing is to narrow the issues and try to reach an agreement. If the participants cannot agree, a final hearing is listed.
E
F
Fact-finding hearing – Where there is a factual dispute, the court sometimes will need a separate hearing to determine whether a fact is proven or not before making a final decision. This often happens where domestic abuse or child abuse is denied by a participant.
FDA – First Directions Appointment. The first court hearing to do with financial remedy proceedings.
FDR – Financial Dispute Resolution Appointment. The second court hearing to do with financial remedy proceedings.
FHDRA – A First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment. The first court hearing to do with child arrangements.
Final hearing – If the participants are unable to reach an agreement for either child arrangements or a financial remedy, a final hearing will be listed. The participants sometimes give evidence and the judge will make a final decision.
Form E – A form setting out your finances for financial remedy proceedings.
Form A – A form used to start a request for a financial order in proceedings for divorce or ending a civil partnership.
Form P – A form used for when a Pension Sharing Order or Pension Attachment Order may be made.
G
Guardian – A person who represents the child in court proceedings.
H
I
J
Judgment – The decision of the court.
K
L
Lawyer – Another name for a solicitor or barrister.
M
McKenzie Friend – A person who can provide you with support and help during the hearing. They cannot represent you.
Mediator – A person who is qualified to help support you and another person to reach an agreement outside of court.
Mentor – A person who can help to support you to identify a realistic goal and to understand the steps you may need to take to achieve that goal.
MIAM – Mediation and Information Assessment Meeting. The court will expect you to attend a MIAM before commencing court proceedings.
N
NCDR – Non-Court Dispute Resolution. This is a legal term that refers to a variety of methods for resolving disputes outside of the court system. It is also known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
O
P
Pre-trial review (PTR) / pre-hearing review (PHR) – A short hearing before a final hearing to make sure everything is ready for the final hearing.
Q
R
S
Safeguarding letter – A short report by CAFCASS setting out safeguarding information. It will be sent to the court and the participants in advance of the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA).
S.7 report – The court may need more information to make a decision about your child and may ask CAFCASS or the local authority to write a report.
Solicitor – A person who is qualified in law and gives legal advice and sometimes represents clients at court.
T
U
V
W
Welfare checklist – A list of points that the court must consider when making a decision about a child.
