Glossary

This is a hearing where a court will consider evidence regarding allegations. The court will decide whether this allegations are true based on the balance of probabilities. It is the job of the party making the allegations to prove they are true.

A family assistance order is a section 8 order made by the court where they will direct Cafcass or a social worker to assist and help a family and child where a child arrangement order has been made. A family assistance order is usually in place for 12 months and a report is normally provided for the court.

The family court is where family court cases are heard. Family courts have been previously referred to the county court or magistrates court.

This is the law passed by the UK government governing all aspects of family law.

The FDA is the first court hearing in the financial settlement case. At this hearing the judge will review all the divorce paperwork and will give directions for each party to comply with so to move the case onto the next hearing called the financial dispute resolution (FDR). If all the paperwork is in place and all financial disclosure has happened then the FDA hearing can be changed to an FDR hearing immediately so not to waste time and costs.

This is the second hearing in a financial settlement case where both parties will try and negotiate to reach a settlement with the help of the judge. At the FDR the judge cannot force a settlement upon either party.

This is the name of the first hearing in a child arrangements court case.

This is the court hearing at the end of a case where a final outcome is decided. Unless there is an appeal the case will be closed after the final hearing.

A final order is a court order stating that your marriage has ended.

A legal term used for the process of sorting out marital assets, finances and pensions during a divorce to financially provide for particular party or all parties. Financial provision is also known as ancillary relief, financial remedy or financial settlement.

A legal term used for the process of dividing marital assets, finances and pensions during a divorce. Financial remedy is also known as ancillary relief or financial settlement.

A financial resource is an asset such as liquid assets, reserves, money, or stash which forms part of the marital pot under section 75(2)(o) of the family law act because it has a future financial benefit.

This is the information written in a court order detailing all the agreements and decisions that have been made with regards to the division of marital assets, pensions and finances during a divorce.

This is an court order that states that a child can be put up for adoption despite that fact there is parental opposition. In this case the adoption will go ahead without parental agreement.

A court order to stop an individual from selling or disposing of an asset.

The FRU is located in the central family court in London. It is a specialist unit that deals with complex financial settlements in divorce. Only specialised judges deal with these cases.