Evidence for family court

[helpneeded01]

Hi

Was just wondering if there is a procedure for the family courts with listing evidence as such that is being included in an updating statement for a final hearing.

Should there be a list of some sort with it referenced to the numbered paragraph in the statement.

Due to representing ourselves were unsure on correct way it should be done

Thank you

You are supposed to agree a trial bundle with the other side. The trial bundle is usually one or more lever arch files with all relevant documentation. If you're unrepresented and the other side have a lawyer then usually the judge will order, at the last directions hearing before the final one, that the lawyers prepare the bundles.

It's a big job to do a bundle, will often take a secretary half a day, with all the photocopying, and each page is numbered.

If you have to do the bundles, post again and I'll link you to the Practice Direction and give practical advice.

If the other side are doing them, you will be serviced with a proposed index of docs and you have the chance of objecting/asking for somehting to be added.

Thank you for your reply :)

The other side are doing the bundles but we also need to file an updating statement which we have Things to include with the statement that proves/confirms the points being made.

Is there a set way to include them in the statement were filing to court or do we just put them at the back of the statement with a reference to which numbered paragraph in the statement they relate to??

Thank you again

You should be referring to documents already in the bundle, in which case you can simply refer to them by their page number in the bundle.

Sorry to keep asking but I'm really really confused and need to get it straight in my mind

We need to file a statement to court a week or so before the final hearing, does this one that's being filed need to enclose the information we have that supports the statement points??

I was under the impression we would file the new statement and evidence we have to court and send the copy to the other side who would then include it into the bundle.

Sorry again and thank you

That's one way of doing it. although there's no need to attach it to your statement if you know it's in the bundle already.

Thank you for your help!

Hello, do any of you know if it is possible to submit documents. statements, evidence etc after a final hearing? Just to ensure everything possible is on record?

No - if you send anything after the final hearing, the court will probably send it back to you and point out that the case has finished.

Nobody will read it anyway - the court doesn't keep reviewing cases, the judge just looks at the documents when there's a hearing.

If you think another decision needs to be made, you would need to make a fresh application.

Ok thanks for your response, all very new territory to me and my solicitor "forgot" to bring some quite relevant docs regarding DD health condition/requirements.... I have been told this could be damaging later down the line if these things were not on record at the hearing.... I just don't know what to do for the best