Family court
Courts in England and Wales that hear family law matters. These are the Family Division of the High Court; the Central Family Court, County Courts and Family Proceedings Courts.
Family law
The law relating to family matters, such as laws relating to marriage or children.
Family Law Act 1996
Statute law which under which non-molestation orders and occupation orders are granted.
Family law bar association (FLBA)
The Bar Association for barristers practising family law in England & Wales.
Family law reports
Legal reports containing full case judgments in divorce, financial and children matters.
Family procedure rules (FPR)
The rules governing the practice and procedure relating to family law.
Family Proceedings Court
The formal name for when magistrates hear family proceedings. Usually only involved in children proceedings or domestic violence injunctions.
Filing for divorce
Starting proceedings by issuing a petition at court.
Final hearing (financial)
The last hearing in financial remedy proceedings which will result in a financial settlement.
Financial dispute resolution (FDR)
Usually the second hearing in financial proceedings, where the judge gives an initial indication and parties are encourage to negotiate around it.
Firewall legislation
Legislation used in many offshore jurisdictions to prevent foreign court orders being enforceable against trusts based in those countries.
First appointment documents
A concise statement of issues, a chronology, a questionnaire setting out what further information and documents they need from the other side by way of disclosure.
First appointment hearing (FDA)
The first hearing in court before a judge. The judge will review the first appointment documents and set out directions for the progression of the case.
Foreign Judgments Act 1991
A piece of legislation regulating the enforcement of judgments in some Commonwealth countries.
Form A
An application to the court which starts the court-led process for financial remedy.
Form E
A long document in which each party sets out their assets, income and financial needs.
Form H
Costs schedule that must be filed before court hearings.
Former matrimonial home
The property in which the husband and wife lived as a married couple.
Freezing order
An order of the court typically made without notice, preventing one party from disposing of their assets.