Form A

What is a form A?

Form A is the official application to request a financial order from the court in divorce or civil partnership dissolution proceedings. It is also known as ‘Notice of intention to proceed with a financial application’.

when is a form a needed?

Either side can submit a Form A, and it is mainly used in two types of situations:

1. Where an agreement has been reached and a couple have agreed to a financial settlement together, then a Form A is sent to court along with a consent order and a D81 statement of information to request that the court review and approve the consent order.
2. When the spouses are unable to agree on a settlement, then either party can decide to take the matter to court. This can be done by submitting Form A, which will lead to court directions and hearings to decide the case.

what happens when a form a is filed?

Once issued, this form triggers financial proceedings, and the court fixes a timetable for the proceedings to follow and confirms the date for the exchange of Forms E (financial disclosure) and other documentation to be filed.

Once a Form A application is lodged at the court, the application is usually issued within four weeks, however delays in courts could mean that it takes longer. The First Appointment is usually listed between 12 and 16 weeks from the date Form A is filed.

If you are going through a divorce and are not able to reach an agreement by consent or using alternative dispute resolution methods, you may need to make a Form A application. Click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert divorce solicitors.

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