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Family Law — Position Statement Support
There is a hearing coming.
The court needs to know
where you stand.
A position statement is required before every family court hearing. It tells the judge your current position on the issues, what you are asking the court to do, and what has changed since the last hearing. Getting it focused and correctly structured is what makes it useful rather than just filed.
POSITION STATEMENTS ARE TYPICALLY REQUIRED 24 TO 48 HOURS BEFORE THE HEARING​
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Unlike witness statements which are filed weeks in advance, position statement deadlines are often very close to the hearing date itself. If your hearing is within 48 hours, an urgent instruction may be possible through the calculator. If you are unsure of your filing deadline, check your most recent directions order or contact the court. Do not leave the booking too late to allow proper preparation time.
Family proceedings are not a single event. They are a process that demands something from you at every stage.
By the time most people are preparing a position statement, they have already been through a great deal. There have been earlier hearings, earlier documents, earlier rounds of correspondence. The proceedings that felt urgent and overwhelming at the start have become a long, grinding process that still demands careful attention at every turn, even when the energy to give it is running low.
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A position statement is required before every court hearing in family proceedings. Directions hearings, interim hearings, dispute resolution appointments, fact-finding hearings, final hearings: each one needs a document that tells the judge your current position on the issues before the court, what you are asking for at this hearing specifically, and what has changed or developed since the last time the matter was before a judge. It is not the same document as a witness statement and it is not a substitute for one. It is a different kind of document with a different purpose, and it needs to be prepared accordingly.
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Many people treat the position statement as an afterthought, something to be put together quickly the night before the hearing. That is understandable given the cumulative pressure of ongoing proceedings. It is also a mistake. A judge who reads a well-prepared position statement before walking into the courtroom already understands your position, the orders you are seeking, and the reasoning behind them. A judge who reads a vague or unfocused statement arrives at the hearing with none of that understanding.
A position statement is also not the place to relitigate the entirety of your case. One of the most frequent errors in self-represented position statements is the attempt to include everything: the full history of the relationship, every grievance, every previous court order, every communication with the other party. The result is a document that is too long, too unfocused, and too difficult for a judge to use quickly and effectively.
The discipline required to write a good position statement is the discipline of focus: what is this hearing about, what are the specific issues being addressed today, what do I need the judge to know before we begin, and what do I want them to order at the end of it. That question, applied consistently to every paragraph, produces a document that is proportionate, purposeful, and genuinely useful in the hearing room.
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We prepare position statements for every stage of family proceedings, from the first directions hearing through to the contested final hearing. For clients who have used our witness statement service, the position statement is the natural continuation of that support. For those coming to us for the first time before a specific hearing, the consultation focuses entirely on that hearing, the issues before the court, and the statement that will serve you best walking into it.
"Every hearing matters. The position statement is the document the judge reads before it begins. It sets the frame for everything that follows. Treating it as an administrative task rather than a strategic opportunity is one of the most common and most avoidable mistakes in self-represented family proceedings."
WHAT WE CAN HELP WITH
Hearings we prepare position statements for regularly.
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Directions hearings and case management hearings
Where the court is managing the progress of the case, setting timetables, and making directions for the next stage. The position statement must address compliance with previous directions, any developments since the last hearing, and the specific directions you are asking the court to make to progress the matter appropriately
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Fact-finding hearings
Where the court is determining specific factual allegations, often in cases involving domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns. Fact-finding position statements require particularly careful preparation and must address each allegation directly. These are among the most technically demanding position statements to produce correctly.
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02
Interim hearings and applications
Where the court is being asked to make temporary orders pending the final hearing, including interim child arrangements, prohibited steps orders, or specific issue orders. The position statement must clearly set out the interim orders sought, the basis for seeking them, and why the current situation requires the court to act before the final determination.
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Contested final hearings
Where the court is making final orders on the outstanding issues in the proceedings. The final hearing position statement is the most substantial and must address all outstanding issues, set out the orders sought in full, and summarise the key evidential and legal basis for your position. It works alongside your witness statement rather than replacing it.​
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Dispute resolution appointments
Where the court brings the parties together to explore whether the matter can be resolved without a contested final hearing. The position statement for a dispute resolution appointment must set out your current position clearly and identify the issues on which agreement may be possible and those on which it is not.​
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Ongoing proceedings requiring a position statement at each hearing
For clients in proceedings that involve multiple hearings over an extended period, we provide position statement support at each stage. Each statement is prepared specifically for the hearing it precedes, reflecting developments since the last one and focusing on the issues before the court at that point rather than repeating previous documents.​
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who this is for
This service is right for some situations and not for others.
THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF
You have a family court hearing coming up and have been directed to file a position statement
You are acting as a litigant in person at any stage of family proceedings
You want a professionally prepared statement that is proportionate, focused, and correctly structured for the type of hearing you are attending
You are in ongoing proceedings and need position statement support before each hearing
The other party is legally represented and you want your written position to reflect a comparable standard
You want a fixed cost with no surprises
THIS IS NOT RIGHT IF
You need a solicitor to represent you at the hearing itself
You need regulated legal advice on the merits of your case or your legal position in the proceedings
Your hearing is so imminent that there is insufficient time for proper preparation and one revision
Your matter is a first-tier SEND or special educational needs tribunal rather than a family court proceeding
HOW IT WORKS
Four steps. No uncertainty.
01
GET YOUR FIXED PRICE.
Answer a short set of questions about your hearing and the proceedings. The calculator gives you an exact, all-inclusive fee before you pay anything. Please note your hearing date and filing deadline when booking.​
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PAY & BOOK
Pay securely online and book your consultation by telephone. Send all relevant documents before the session: your most recent directions order, the other party's position statement if filed, and any relevant new correspondence or evidence.​
03
Consultation and drafting
We focus entirely on this hearing: the issues before the court, what you are seeking, and how to present your position most effectively. The statement is drafted and delivered within the agreed timeframe, structured specifically for the type of hearing you are attending.
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Review and submit
Read the draft carefully. One full revision is included. Once finalised, the statement is ready to file with the court in accordance with your directions order and to take with you into the hearing.
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WHY SAFEGUARD LEGAL
Every hearing deserves a document that was properly prepared for it.
Law Society award in Family Law
Our principal holds Law Society credential in Family Law with Distinction, an independently verified micro-credential that reflects the standard against which every piece of work is calibrated. Family court proceedings are among the most technically and emotionally complex in the legal system. The standard of work must match that.
Direct family court experience
Our principal worked as a family law paralegal with right of audience in domestic violence hearings. That experience, of standing in a courtroom, understanding how judges read the documents before them, and knowing what works and what does not, is built into every witness statement we prepare.
Fixed fee. No surprises
Family proceedings are already financially and emotionally draining. The cost of preparing your statement should be certain, transparent, and agreed before you pay anything. Your fee does not change regardless of the time we spend getting the statement right.
"Proceedings that go on for months ask something of you at every stage. A position statement that has been properly prepared for each hearing, rather than assembled in a panic, is one of the most practical things we can do to support you through a process that does not stop demanding from you."
YOUR FIXED FEE
PLEASE READ
Safeguard Legal is not a law firm and is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The support we provide is legal document drafting and practical guidance, not regulated legal advice. We do not attend court hearings, represent clients in family proceedings, or provide regulated legal advice on your legal position, the merits of your case, or your prospects at any hearing. If you need representation at a hearing, or regulated advice on your legal options in proceedings, you should contact a qualified family law solicitor. What we provide is experienced, professionally prepared document support built on 17 years inside the UK legal system, including direct family court experience. The difference is the business model. Not the standard of the work.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions people ask before booking
What is a position statement in family court?
A position statement is a short document filed before a family court hearing that sets out your current position on the issues before the court at that specific hearing. It tells the judge what orders or directions you are seeking, why you are seeking them, and what has changed or developed since the last hearing. It is required before every hearing in family proceedings, not just the final one. It is not the same as a witness statement: a witness statement contains your full evidential account, while a position statement focuses specifically on the upcoming hearing and what you are asking the court to do at it.
How long should a family court position statement be?
A position statement should be proportionate to the type of hearing it is being prepared for. For a directions hearing, two to four pages is typically appropriate. For a dispute resolution appointment or interim hearing, four to six pages. For a fact-finding hearing or contested final hearing, the statement may run longer but should remain focused on the specific issues being determined and the orders being sought. A position statement that runs to 20 pages for a directions hearing is not proportionate and is unlikely to be well received. Judges read many of these documents; concision and clarity serve you better than length.
What is the difference between a position statement and a witness statement?
A witness statement is your primary evidential document in family proceedings. It contains your full account of the relevant history, the facts you are relying on, and the evidence that supports your case. It is usually filed once or twice in proceedings, at the direction of the court, and it is a substantive legal document signed with a statement of truth. A position statement is filed before every hearing. It is shorter, more focused, and sets out your position specifically for that hearing rather than providing a full evidential account. If you have filed a witness statement, the judge has read it. The position statement tells them where things stand now and what you need from this particular hearing.
Do I need a position statement for every hearing?
Yes, in most cases. Family courts expect both parties to file a position statement before each hearing, setting out their current position on the issues. This is standard practice whether or not a formal direction has been made requiring it. Attending a hearing without a position statement, particularly if the other party has filed one, puts you at a practical disadvantage from the moment the judge begins preparing for the hearing. The court may also take a dim view of an unrepresented party who has not engaged with this expectation.
The other party has a solicitor. Will my position statement be taken as seriously?
A well-prepared position statement that is correctly structured, focused on the right issues, and clearly sets out what you are seeking will be read by the judge on exactly the same basis as one prepared by a solicitor. The judge cannot tell from reading it whether it was professionally prepared. What matters is whether it does what a position statement needs to do: inform the judge of your position clearly and precisely before the hearing begins. That is what we ensure.
Can you prepare a position statement at short notice?
Yes, where time permits proper preparation and one round of revisions. Position statement deadlines are often very close to the hearing date, and we work to accommodate tight timescales wherever possible. A 48-hour urgency option is available through the calculator. If your hearing is within 24 hours, please contact us directly before booking so we can assess whether there is sufficient time to prepare the statement to the standard it needs to meet.
Is this confidential?
Yes. Everything you share with us is held in strict confidence and used only for the purpose of preparing your document. We do not share your information with any third parties. Full details are set out in our Privacy Policy.
What if my situation turns out to be more complex than I thought?
The triage calculator identifies complexity before quoting. If your matter falls outside our standard scope because of volume, complexity, or urgency then you will be told immediately and directed to the appropriate support. If additional complexity emerges during the consultation, we will discuss this with you openly before proceeding.
Prepared for the hearing.
Not just filed before it.
Get your exact price in under two minutes. Please check your filing deadline before booking. If we are not the right service for your situation.