FDR this Friday, what happens in court? Panicking

Hello all,
I have my first FDR hearing on Friday, I am the respondant, self repping due to cost.
He has a solicitor, I've done my best with the paperwork, form. E etc
Can anyone tell me what happens at the first meeting? I'm starting to feel very nervous and panicky and it would help me if I knew what to expect.
Thanks all

You say "first FDR" - do you mean the FDA hearing?

When a financial application is issued the matter is listed for a First Directions Appointment. This is where the court makes directions for what should occur next e.g. the answering of questions raised following exchange of form E financial statements, valuations of properties, pensions etc.

If you have had that hearing, which typically lasts around 15 minutes, the next hearing will be the FDR.

The FDR hearing is a without prejudice hearing where the judge gives their opinion of what order they might make if they had heard the matter at trial. This opinion can be accepted (in full or in part - it often aids settlement on the day or following the hearing) or rejected, in which case the matter is listed for a final hearing.

Charles

Hello Charles,
It's the first one so must be the FDA.
I have got in a bit of a mess with it all, limited budget so emailed all docs to court to save money, they have accepted the form E but rejected all the supporting docs because there's a 50 page limit for them to print off which I didn't know, so panicking that I will be in trouble on Friday at the meeting as I will have to print it all off and take it.
Thank you for the info, it doesn't sound as bad as I had imagined it, I feel very intimidated as it will be just me, and him with his solicitor.
Deb

Hi
I took a friend with me. They were not allowed in to the court part, but it was nice to have someone there.
It was literally over with in 10 minutes.
The judge just went through which questions need answering from your list and theirs.
A week or two later you get a typed up list of questions to answer before the FDR. This was things like find your mortgage capacity, get 3 values on house etc.
I found it quite scary initially, having never been to a court, but they sell coffee, have comfy chairs. On the way in you go through a scanner and have to empty your pockets and have your bag searched. All the staff were very helpful telling you were to go etc. Remember your ex will be in the same position as you (Just as scared).
By the third trip you get used to it!
Good luck.

Hi dibble

The supporting documents are not really a big issue for the court. The main thing is to make sure the other side has them.

Have you prepared a questionnaire, chronology and Statement of Issues? Have you received these from him?

Wikivorce has some very cost effective services designed to support litigants in person with limited budgets. It might be worth giving the helpline a ring.

Hadenoughnow

Hi Hadenoughnow,
I have prepared them and am taking them with me tomorrow to give to him/his solicitor.
I also have my supporting evidence which I haven't yet given to the other side, am i going to be in trouble for that?, We only exchanged form E on 18th December, this was my fault because I got so confused by the form and had to ask for 2 weeks extra time, I finished it off with the help and guidelines on wiki.
My exes form E lies, several times, he has only supplied 3 wage slips not 12, several bits say TBC etc etc, mines fully completed.
So currently he has all my financial info and I have only some of his.
I haven't seen or spoken to my ex for over a year, I'm dreading this.
Deb

Hi,

How did Friday go, My first hearing is the 8th of February and I am also self reping and was wondering how you got on.