Postition Statements - Child Court Hearing

Help. I self represent and need to file and serve a position statement setting out the issues and the order sought not to exceed two A4 pages in length.

Does anyone have any experience in this?

Thanks

A position statement is a brief child focussed statement setting out your issues, requests and reasons.

Under the usual court header [Name of Court, Case Number, children's names and dob, Applicant's name, Respondent's name] you put the heading "A POSITION STATEMENT OF RESPONDENT? MOTHER."

Then you use numbered paragraphs to outline the brief history, list the issues and requests. Lastly sign and date it.

Don't dwell on the history too much. The main point is to tell the court what order you want made and how you justify it.

I'm self representing too.
Will I be asked to complete a position statement?
When is this handed in,at the court hearing or before to cafcass?
Also do cafcass usually just phone before the hearing to get each parents story or do they home visit.

Will the resident parent and Cafcass see the position statement or is it just the judge?

Hi

From what I remember (magistrates court) position statements are supposed to be submitted to the court and the other party 2 weeks before the hearing, that way you each get to read the other party's statement. We had 3 judges & cafcass and everyone had a copy of both parties' statements.

In mine I gave a brief history of what had been happening, what I wasn't happy about and why, and the changes I wanted to see put in place.

Try to keep it child focussed and factual (what you want for your child), and avoid slating the other party at all costs.

Don't do what my ex did, he wrote about all the items I'd taken from the house but failed to state that it was with his agreement - what that had to do with a child court hearing only he knows, it was quite laughable really.

Hope this helps, it's just my experience
Escaped

Fiona wrote:
A position statement is a brief child focussed statement setting out your issues, requests and reasons.


I assume you can list incidences of violence and harassment commited by your ex if as a result these unfairly ended in loss of contact to your child each time?
Including these in a PS gives your 'issues'and 'reasons'for instigating court proceedings and helps to build up a picture of why you think the court is the only avenue you can proceed by.
Right?