How to prepare for the First Hearing
Get expert advice on
- If you need to ask for an adjournment to have more time to prepare for the first hearing dispute resolution appointment – this is where the court postpones the hearing to another date.
- If you might be able to reach agreement and avoid the hearing altogether.
- How to clearly define the key issues in the case.
- If you should try and get representation.
- What you should prepare for the hearing and how to do it.
- What issues you should talk to Cafcass about.
- The contents of the Cafcass letter/report and how you should proceed (if you have already received this).
- If you need to prepare the court bundle.
for just £120 (including VAT)
We have kept the cost of advice through this service as low as possible. If you were to see one of our panel members outside of this service you would pay on average £265 per hour (including VAT).

Solicitor
Emma Taylor
GoodLaw Solicitors
Emma is a Partner at GoodLaw Solicitors, where she heads up the family department.
Emma is a Partner at GoodLaw Solicitors, where she heads up the family department.

Solicitor
Georgia Burrell
EJ Coombs Solicitors
Georgia has worked exclusively in family law throughout her career.
Georgia has worked exclusively in family law throughout her career.

Solicitor
Hilda Wright
HW Legal
Hilda specialises in family law and qualified as a lawyer in 2013.
Hilda specialises in family law and qualified as a lawyer in 2013.

Solicitor
Jenny Carter and Lisa Russell
David Gray
Jenny has over 20 years experience in family law, and Lisa more than 19.
Jenny has over 20 years experience in family law, and Lisa more than 19.

Solicitor
Juliet Thomas
Shanahans Solicitors
Juliet is the family partner at Shanahans, based in Cardiff, and has 30 years experience.
Juliet is the family partner at Shanahans, based in Cardiff, and has 30 years experience.

Solicitor
Katherine McGuire
GoodLaw Solicitors
Katherine is a Chartered Legal Executive and has been with the firm since January 2018.
Katherine is a Chartered Legal Executive and has been with the firm since January 2018.

Solicitor
Lachlan Donaldson
Gill Turner Tucker
Lachlan has 12 years’ experience helping to resolve both child and financial arrangements.
Lachlan has 12 years’ experience helping to resolve both child and financial arrangements.

Solicitor
Lola Ajayi
Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP
Lola is a Solicitor at Anthony Gold and advises on a wide range of family law matters.
Lola is a Solicitor at Anthony Gold and advises on a wide range of family law matters.

Solicitor
Lucy Jones-Clarkson
Beck Fitzgerald
Lucy specialises in all areas of family law and is able to offer appointments in the evening.
Lucy specialises in all areas of family law and is able to offer appointments in the evening.

Solicitor
Lucy Tissington
Family Law Group
Lucy is the Head of Family Law Direct at Family Law Group and specialises in all areas of family law.
Lucy is the Head of Family Law Direct at Family Law Group and specialises in all areas of family law.

Solicitor
Malvina Peci
GoodLaw Solicitors
Malvina is a specialist Family Solicitor, Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer who deals with all areas of family law.
Malvina is a specialist Family Solicitor, Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer who deals with all areas of family law.

Solicitor
Melanie Bataillard-Samuel
MBS Family Law
Melanie has specialised in family law since qualifying as a solicitor in 2007. She can advise in English and French.
Melanie has specialised in family law since qualifying as a solicitor in 2007. She can advise in English and French.

Solicitor
Rebecca Bye
Gill Turner Tucker
Rebecca has advised clients in relation to a broad range of family matters since she qualified as a solicitor in 2018.
Rebecca has advised clients in relation to a broad range of family matters since she qualified as a solicitor in 2018.

Solicitor
Robert Green
Gill Turner Tucker
Robert is a partner and solicitor with Gill Turner Tucker, specialises in all aspects of family law.
Robert is a partner and solicitor with Gill Turner Tucker, specialises in all aspects of family law.

Solicitor
Sital Somaiya
Signature Law Ltd
Sital specialises extensively in family law and qualified as a solicitor in 2011. She can advise in English, Gujarati, Hindi and Urdu.
Sital specialises extensively in family law and qualified as a solicitor in 2011. She can advise in English, Gujarati, Hindi and Urdu.

Solicitor
Sophie Perry
THP Solicitors
Sophie is a specialist Family Law Solicitor based in Berkshire who can advise on divorce, separation, financial matters and children arrangements.
Sophie is a specialist Family Law Solicitor based in Berkshire who can advise on divorce, separation, financial matters and children arrangements.

Solicitor
Tara Sanger
Kay & Pascoe LLP
Tara specialises in family law. She is a collaborative practitioner and mediator, as well as a solicitor.
Tara specialises in family law. She is a collaborative practitioner and mediator, as well as a solicitor.

Solicitor
Victoria Evans
Gill Turner Tucker
Victoria specialises exclusively in family law. She advises on divorce and separation, financial remedies, children, and domestic abuse.
Victoria specialises exclusively in family law. She advises on divorce and separation, financial remedies, children, and domestic abuse.