Writing statements for the family court
Guides for people in England and Wales who need to write a statement for a children or money case without a solicitor: which statement you need, how to set it out, and how it is used at the hearing. You write every statement yourself, in your own words.
Time and cost at a glance
| Step | On your own | With Wren | Solicitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| A position statement | A day or two | About an hour | £490 to £9902 to 4 hours |
| A witness statement | A week or more of evenings | A couple of hours | £1,240 to £2,4705 to 10 hours |
| Putting a bundle together | Days of sorting | Minutes: Wren builds the PDF | £740 to £1,4803 to 6 hours |
Times and hours are Wren’s estimates for a typical case, not quotes. Solicitor costs are those hours at £247 an hour, the courts’ guideline rate for a solicitor with over four years’ experience, outside London (GOV.UK, Solicitors' guideline hourly rates (in effect from 1 January 2026)). The guideline runs from £200 to £295 an hour outside London depending on experience, firms set their own rates, and VAT is added on top.
Step by step, and how Wren helps
Open a step for what the court needs and the full guide.
Statements for the family court: what you may need and how to write them
Wren sets out the layout, numbered paragraphs and statement of truth the court expects, with made-up examples. Every word stays yours.What the court needs
Most family cases need you to put something in writing: a position statement for a hearing, a witness statement, or a response to a report. Each has a shape the court expects. The words must be yours.
How to write a position statement for a family court hearing
Wren takes you through each heading the court expects, with made-up examples, and you write it in your own words.What the court needs
A position statement is a short document that tells the judge your position for a particular hearing and what order you are asking for. It is not evidence, has strict page limits, and a fresh one is written for each hearing.
How to write a witness statement for the family court
Wren sets out the layout, numbered paragraphs and statement of truth the court expects, with made-up examples. Every word stays yours.What the court needs
A witness statement is your written evidence, in your own words, signed with a statement of truth. In family courts it follows Part 22 and Practice Direction 22A, and it usually stands as your evidence at a final hearing.
Writing to the other side and to the court in a family case
What the court needs
During a family case you will write to the other party, their solicitor and the court office. The court has rules on how to email it. Keeping your letters short, dated and copied makes them easier for everyone to follow.
Drafts Wren gives you
- Covering letter with papers, as a Word draft to finish in your own words
- Letter or email to the court office, as a Word draft to finish in your own words
- Reminder to the other side about a missed date, as a Word draft to finish in your own words
How to prepare a court bundle for a family court hearing
Mark the papers you need and Wren builds one page-numbered PDF bundle with an index you can tap and a count against the page limit.What the court needs
A court bundle is the indexed, page-numbered set of documents the judge reads before a hearing. The applicant usually prepares it, and it must reach the court and other parties at least 5 working days before the hearing.
Giving evidence at a family court final hearing: how it works
Wren’s hearing guide says what happens, what to prepare and what to bring, with a checklist kept on your case.What the court needs
At a final hearing, witnesses usually give evidence in person. This guide describes the order things happen in. It also covers when a party cannot question another party personally, and help for vulnerable people.
Not sure where you are?
- Which court statement do you need to write?
Five or six quick questions, then see which statement you usually need, what you have to do and how Wren helps.
Get organised with Wren Family
You still run your own case, with help at every step. Wren Family turns long official forms into short, plain-English questions, guides you through each hearing, helps you write statements in your own words, and keeps your dates, papers and orders in one place. Nothing is sent to the court for you.
Get startedFree for 14 days, no card. Then £19.99 a month, with your money back within 14 days if it’s not right.