Appearing before a Registrar (Judge) of the Family division without a lawyer

If you do not have a lawyer and represent yourself you will be a litigant in person (LIPs).

Can you agree matters without a hearing?

family mediation can be faster, cheaper and easier than you going through the stress of a court hearing/s.
Family Mediation Jersey (“FMJ”) have qualified independent mediators who can help you with arguments about your children money and finances. Telephone: +44 (0) 1534 638898.
you can still to see a mediator with the other party even if your case has started.
if an agreement is made and there are existing court proceedings, you may want to ask the Registrar to make an order by consent

if you apply to court you may not get the order or orders you want
you may have to pay the other party’s legal costs even if you are not paying for your own costs
attending court can be stressful and emotional

The hearings are in private.

The law does not allow you to show, say, write (disclose) or publish any details that can identify a child.

Documents can be shown without permission only to:

There are penalties for breaking this law.

The court also sits in private regarding financial disputes.

All communications have to be sent to the Family Proceedings Officer (FPO). It is better for you to send e-mails to the FPO so there is a record
The Registrars and/or any court staff cannot give you or anyone else legal advice so don’t ask for this
Use the correct court forms. Ask the FPO if you are not sure
You must put the case name and reference number (given by the court) at the top of every document and communication you send to the court
If you need to contact the FPO once your case has started, you must also copy the other party/ies (or their lawyer/s if they are represented) in on any communications you send
Do not send the FPO copies of communications between you and the other party
Judges/Registrars will not enter into correspondence with you
Tell the FPO if you have any concerns about your safety
Inform the FPO if you want a McKenzie Friend to attend hearings with you. See the section about McKenzie Friends (or pick up a copy from the Judicial Greffe reception
Give an address where documents can be sent to you
You must tell the court and the other party/ies to the proceedings if you change address
Provide contact details, for example, mobile numbers and email addresses

You may be able to get an exemption of fees certificate so you do not have to pay court fees. Apply to the Viscount’s Department before you start your court application, and if granted, attach the exemption certificate to your court application
Pay the correct court fee, if you are not fees exempt, so that your papers can be processed. See the Court Service website pages for this information
Fee payments may now be made by debit or credit card at the Family Division Reception, or by court stamps (attached to the application in an envelope, do not stick to the application).
Family Division fees

All documents filed (given to the court) by you must preferably be typed or in neat handwriting
If the court rules say you need to serve (legal term) your application or documentation on the other party/ies (via their lawyers, if they have any), you may need to prove that service has happened
The Viscount’s Department will serve documents for you for a fee
The FPO does not give advice about how you should serve documents. It is up to you to decide this