Running a Family Law File – A Handbook for Trainees and Paralegals

Family law is an immensely wide-ranging subject where no individual area has escaped some kind of statutory or procedural change over recent years. This handbook is aimed at the family law trainee and paralegal, but is a reference book for all family law practitioners. It is intensely practical and gives advice to all who work in the field of family law. This book begins with the law firm: where the practitioner works, who works there and what they do. It then moves on to the most important people, the client, and how that professional relationship develops over time. The book explores how best to help the client both outside and inside the court room incorporating a full range of orders and procedures. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stuart Barlow is in the family team at Bhatia Best Solicitors. He has specialised in Family Law for over 40 years. His focus is now on representing Parents and other parties in Children Cases. He is a member of the Law Society Children Panel and Accredited Specialist with Resolution in Private Children and Cohabitation Law. He is the former Chief Assessor of the Law Society Family Law Panel and adjudicator for the Legal Aid Agency. He is a regular presenter of training courses for family lawyers throughout England and Wales and the author of several family law books. CONTENTS PART A – Firms, Files & Clients Chapter 1 – The Structure of Law Firms Chapter 2 – Internal Workings of a Law Firm Chapter 3 – Roles in a Law Firm Chapter 4 – Information Ahead of the First Meeting Chapter 5 – The First Meeting With the Client Chapter 6 – Follow Up Work After the First Meeting Chapter 7 – Vulnerable Clients – Matters to Look Out For Chapter 8 – Managing Clients’ Expectations Chapter 9 – Management of a Family Law File Chapter 10 – Funding a Family Law Case Chapter 11 – Closing a Family Law File PART B – Orders Chapter 12 – Family Court Orders Chapter 13 – Divorce Proceedings Chapter 14 – Financial Applications Chapter 15 – Private Children Applications Chapter 16 – Public Law Children Applications Chapter 17 – Domestic Abuse Injunctions Chapter 18 – Other Family Proceedings PART C – Court Chapter 19 – Arriving at Court Chapter 20 – Inside the Court Room Chapter 21 – Different Tribunals Chapter 22 – Types of Hearings Chapter 23 – Evidence on Oath Chapter 24 – Remote Court Hearings PART D – Procedures Chapter 25 – Alternatives to Court Proceedings Chapter 26 – Drafting Applications and Statements Chapter 27 – Preparing Court Bundles Chapter 28 – Instructing Counsel Chapter 29 – Finding of Fact Hearings Chapter 30 – Cafcass and Local Authority Reports Chapter 31 – Litigants in Person & McKenzie Friends Chapter 32 – Instructing Experts Chapter 33 – Drafting Court Orders Chapter 34 – Appeals Chapter 35 – Enforcement of Court Orders Chapter 36 – Thirty-Three Common Questions Asked by Clients in Family Cases