Family Law

[dominomarion]

I am currently representing myself in court and have been asked to prepare a report to the court. This report will go towards a hearing in January where the Judge will decide as to whether a psychological assessment needs to be carried out on the mother of my children.
The problem is, without a solicitor, I am unsure of the process of putting this report into court. Can anybody help?

[Barmaid]

Normally only an expert would do a report - I am not sure what kind of report you have been asked to produce.

The court will have given you a date for filing. If no date, it should be filed 14 days before. To file it, you simply send it to the Court but make sure you include the case reference number. At this point you should also send copies to the other parties (serving).

[dominomarion]

I originally went to court regarding concerns surrounding the children's welfare. At the first hearing the judge basically said that without documented evidence I was wasting my time. At the last court hearing I thought I was there to stop proceedings so I represented myself. The Judge on this occassion however showed concern with regards to my ex-partners mental health and asked that both parties put in a report before the next court hearing to establish on that date whether a psychological assessment should be done. I assume the report should include the basis of my concerns and why I think that an assessment should be carried out. However I was just unsure of how to process this. If it is simply a case of filing a statement then this is great.

[Barmaid]

I really think you need legal help.

A report on someone's psychological concerns would normally only be done by an expert. You would make a statement stating the facts - ie what your ex partner has said and done and an expert would interview her and take your statement into account.

It is not quite so simple as putting a statement into court. I think you need to be clear as to whether the judge has requested a report or a statement since they are two different things.

[dominomarion]

I think maybe a statement is what I need to put in. The Judge seemed quite happy that I was representing myself. She did ask me if I knew what I had to do and I said no but I would find out only it's not been as easy as I thought. I think as you said I need to prepare a statement and a report will be done by an expert. Would I send this statement to the court and her solicitor?

[Barmaid]

Yes, just make sure your statement has the case number on it (the court office will do their best to lose it anyway but a case number helps!). Your statement should be headed:-

In the Anytown County Court Case No: 8AT12345

IN THE MATTER OF (Name)

BETWEEN

(centred) Mr A B C
(Applicant) (right justified)

and

(centred) Miss XYZ
(Respondent) (right justified)

STATEMENT OF THE APPLICANT (centred)

[dominomarion]

Many Thanks for all your help

[Barmaid]

Oops, forgot. Bottom of statement should include a statement of truth:

I believe the facts contained in this witness statement are true.

You should then sign and date it.