FDR - what documents do I need to provide?

Hi. My FDR is booked for 14 Oct but the court letter does not state what information I need to provide (unlike letter for 1st App). Both ex and I are self repping, do we need to provide any further documents (expecially since previously supplied documents are all out of date)?

Hi Angelanna

I took along a few updated documents as, like you, a couple of things had changed since all of the original paperwork was submitted, and I took my Open Offer for my ex, which just outlined what I thought was a fair split. Make sure you have copies of everything for the judge too.

Basically the judge will look through the paperwork and each of your Open Offers and then advise what decision would probably be reached if it went to a Final Hearing. The judge will then ask you to negotiate a settlement, and if a settlement is agreed a Consent Order will be drawn up and signed on the day. If you still can't reach an agreement then the judge will forward it to a Final Hearing.

Good luck!

Thanks

What if ex's situation has changed a lot and he hasn't provided updated information to me or the judge. Do I make the judge aware as he won't?

Yes, definitely, otherwise the judge will make his suggestions from the original paperwork.

Hi, you say the judge asks you to negotiate and reach a settlement - how much time is allowed for this? Is this in front of the judge or are you left to yourselves?

If the consent order is done on the day itself, there cant be much time to think and negotiate.

Hi Colours

In my FDR the Judge started by asking if we had managed to reach an agreement between ourselves. We hadn't.

The judge reviewed both of our Open Offers and answered all of our questions and took on board everything we were saying.

He then gave his opinion as to what would probably be ordered if we took it all the way to a Final Hearing, and sent us outside to think about it and talk for 15 minutes.

When we came back in again the Judge again asked us if we had reached an agreement, which we hadn't because my ex was being stubborn just for the sake of it.

The judge reminded us that the costs would be HUGE for a Final Hearing, and were we sure we wanted to do that.

I took the opportunity to tell the judge that I was happy to go with what he was saying, and that it was my ex stalling things. The judge, in front of my ex, advised me that I could apply for costs against my ex as he was being deliberately obstructive. This made my ex sit up and listen!

Suddenly my ex had a few more questions, and he disappeared outside again for 10 minutes to chat to his legal peeps. He came back in and agreed to the judge's suggestions. The document was drawn up and we signed and walked away with everything sorted that afternoon.

After months of arguments and pain and stress everything was over and done with very very suddenly. It was a very surreal feeling walking away from the court that day!

Hello,

Just a quick question, what if the other party does not provide all the answers to the questions that were asked at the first hearing?

GH