I have to submit the Form E to the court by the end of this month then have the first hearing in early October.
I have already sent a draft Form E and Financial Statement to the solicitor and indicated the sort of solution that I would like. The remainder of the stuff (minus business accounts) is ready and just waiting to be sent to the solicitor.
I assume that at some time I need to sit down with solicitor and run through things, especially the high value overseas business that is seriosly going to confuse issues but I am unclear when I should do this.
Before the court submission, after seeing my ex wife's submission, in the court prior to the hearing?
Any advice?

Hi Kevin,

In an ideal world, you would have the time to sit down with your solicitor after having received your wife's completed Form E, so that both your sol and you could get a 'global' financial picture. This would mean that you can then work on a realistic proposal to put to the other side.
In reality, some people are (very!) late submitting their Form E - it is not unknown for Form Es to be submitted the morning of the First Appointment or parties turning up with ridiculously incomplete ones.
As you mentioned, your Form E may not be ready because of other complications.

The First Appointment is in fact a formality, whatever your solicitor tells you. Yes, it could be important and yes it could be turned into the 'second round' (Financial Dispute Resolution) but only if there are no outstanding financial issues.

My advice, if any, would be to prepare as much as you can and hope for the best.
If, at the FA the judge directs you both to establish financial facts and/or submit complete Forms E, you will have 2-3 months (depending on the court time table) to really get your act together for the FDR.
I sound vague because on this very subject the rules are one thing and the way things happen a completely different one.

Hope this doesn't add to the confusion !
Red XX