Family Cases before the District Judge - Best Practice

This practical course will be of benefit to all litigators who regularly appear before District Judges. The course provides insight into what the District Judge is looking for in the applications that are made to the court and from the advocates at a hearing. Advice is given on how to prepare for a hearing and how best to present your client’s case. The course will cover:

• Preparing paper applications that appear in boxwork. How to avoid common mistakes
• What should and should not be in a statement
• When schedules help
• When do you need and what should be in a skeleton argument and draft order
• Being against a litigant in person and how to avoid the pitfalls
• Court etiquette
• Advocacy at direction hearings
• The best way to prepare and conduct FDA/FDR hearings
• What is needed in preparation and conducting of finding of fact hearings
• Essential Core authorities
• How to maximise the chances of obtaining a costs order

Course Dates

24/05/2012 Leeds	14:00 - 17:15 Venue Information
29/05/2012 London	14:00 - 17:15 Venue Information
13/09/2012 Birmingham	14:00 - 17:15 Venue Information
17/09/2012 London	14:00 - 17:15 Venue Information

Stephen Parker 
is head of the Child Care Department at Greens LLP Birmingham. Stephen is a High Court Advocate (Civil) and an Accredited Specialist with Resolution. He is also a member of both the Law Society's Children and Advanced Family Law Panels and sits as a Deputy District Judge.