I have my First Appointment next Friday and I'm self repping due to costs. I'm not sure what to expect or what to take.

- Do I need to reply to the Respondent's questionnaire before the hearing?
- I have more questions for him since receipt of further information from him - should I submit these questions before the hearing or at the hearing?
- I have issues and information to add to some of his statement of issues (he portrays the situation favourably to him by omitting certain important facts)- should I respond to them and if so when?
- Will we discuss these issues and decide if relevant? Can we add to the issues in light of further information?

Sorry lots of questions, but any help would be gratefully received.

Hi there

To answer your questions:

1. Your original time tabling order (the one setting the date of the hearing) should tell you the date by which you should exchange questionaires. In any event it is helpful for them to have it before the hearing so that they can ask if necessary for leave for further questions, or tell the judge that they are happy with what they have;

2. If you have more questions you should draw up a draft "Second Request for Further Information". Show it to his representative outside court and see if it can be agreed, if not, show it to the judge when you go in and tell him you are "asking for leave to request the following further information".

3. You can do your own statement of issues, which should be with his solicitor and the court 7 days before the hearing. As you do not have that time you should aim to get them off on Monday.

4. You can discuss the issues you both raise with his representative outside the court room on Friday. If you cannot agree between you what are the relevant issues you both get the opportunity to discuss them with the judge, who is likely to put them as a recital on the order, which will read something like:
"And upon it being recorded that at the date of this hearing the relevant issues in the case are XYZ".

That is not to say that later further issues may not transpire to be relevant, but it does assist in giving you both a tentative ­frame­work going forward.

Amanda

Thanks Amanda.

I did submit the relevant documents on time to the court but since receiving his questionnaire and statement, lots more questions and queries have arisen - missing money, fake documents etc.

He is self repping too and there is very little chance he will talk to me as he is very bitter (even though he was the one to have an affair and leave).

From what you said, Iam I right in thinking I should:
- draw up a draft "Second Request for Further Information" with all my new questions and requests for missing information
- prepare a response to his statement of issues - do I do this in writing or verbally to the judge?
- respond to his questions and requests for information (in his questionnaire) - should I send this in advance or wait until the day to submit?

Thanks again.

Hi there

1. Yes, draw up a second, show it to the judge and the judge will decide which, if any, of the questions, he has to answer;

2. Your statement of issues should be in writing and submitted before the hearing - as I say, should be 7 days, but you just need to make sure you do it in advance as you now do not have 7 days.

3. Repond before,then if he needs to ask furhter questions he can do it at this hearing and the judge can consider whether or not you have to answer, which avoids the risk of another first appointment.

Amanda

Thanks

Sorry to be a pain, but on point 2 - I have submitted my Statement on time.

I have now received his Statement and much of is is inaccurate and untrue. I want to respond to this and point out the lies (with evidence). Do I do this now or at the hearing?

If the information he provides to my questions raises new issues, should I add these? Now or at the hearing?

Thanks again.