The Family Court Library: Dispute Resolution Appointment (DRA)

dispute-resolution-appointment

Family Court Library

General Disclaimer: Nothing presented constitutes legal advice and the McKenzie Friend UK Network is not a legal entity or in anyway claims to be a 'legal resource'. The resource guide is supported by McKenzie Friends and Litigants in person for Litigants in Person in Family Court. McKenzie Friends provide layperson support as an informed friend under the Family Court Practice Guidance of 2010. All information is published under the spirit of that guidance. For any corrections of the information, please contact the McKenzie Friend UK Network

The Dispute Resolution Appointment

19.1

The Court shall list the application for a Dispute Resolution Appointment (‘DRA’) to follow the preparation of section 7, or other expert report, or Separated Parenting Information Programme (SPIP) (or WT4C in Wales), if this is considered likely to be helpful in the interests of the child.

19.2

The author of the section 7 report will only attend this hearing if directed to do so by the Court.

19.3

At the DRA the Court will –

(1) Identify the key issue(s) (if any) to be determined and the extent to which those issues can be resolved or narrowed at the DRA;

(2) Consider whether the DRA can be used as a final hearing;

(3) Resolve or narrow the issues by hearing evidence;

(4) Identify the evidence to be heard on the issues which remain to be resolved at the final hearing;

(5) Give final case management directions including:

(a) Filing of further evidence;

(b) Filing of a statement of facts/issues remaining to be determined;

(d) Ensuring Compliance with Practice Direction 27A (the Bundles Practice Direction);

(e) Listing the Final Hearing.

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MaKenzie Friends operate as 'lay persons' who are not legally trained or qualified, but who will support you through the family court process as an 'informed friend'.

Our MaKenzie Friends can :

1) Provide personal support, understanding and mentoring.

2) Offer non legal advice and guidance.

3) To assist you with paperwork, forms and planning.

4) To organise your files and assist you in the smooth administration of the process.

5) To help research information.

6) As laypersons, discuss and offer advice, guidance and opinions on your case and strategy.

7) To assist with the management and timing of disclosures.

8) To assist with your statements, submissions and arguments.

9) To attend court with you under the formal guidance presented by the family courts.

10) To help you prepare your arguments and questions.

Philip Kedge is a retired police Chief Inspector and the founder and director of the McKenzie Friend UK Network. His aim is to remove lawyers from the family court with his own ethical business to reduce conflict and acrimony, to provide training and a cost effective McKenzie Friend national service and to reduce the emotional harm to children as a non-legal entity and informed friend.