Case Study :: Litigant in Person :: Final Hearing

Terry: Litigant in person (leading up to final hearing) case study  

Terry  (names have been changed) found us by searching for information to help his case on the web. He felt he was in control of his case but needed some practical and emotional help to get him through the two months leading up to his three day final hearing in the family court. He had already spent a very large amount of money on legal representation to date with lawyers he liked, but the money had run out. He had however earmarked enough to pay a barrister at his final hearing, but he was facing the next two months on his own, preparing his own case with his lawyer to advise him if he got stuck. 

Over the course of a free consultation with the divorce coach Kirsten Gronning Terry was quite clear about the support he needed now: 

• Help with his narrative statement.
• Help with his court bundle.
• Some support in keeping his emotions in check in the courtroom and how to ‘perform’ better.  

There was no question of the case being resolved before the final hearing as Terry’s ex-wife had refused to negotiate at all. She had remained in the family house and kept up a good standard of living, whilst Terry had financial problems and needed a just settlement to save him from financial ruin. There were three teenage children, one of whom lived with Terry. 

Kirsten knew she could help him with the questions which he would struggle to find the answer to elsewhere, especially the practicalities of getting ready for a court appearance as a litigant in person and how to deal emotionally in court. She suggested a two month tele-support programme which comprised two hours support a month, plus e-mail support. 

Coaching sessions of this type work by the client taking responsibility for a series of actions they agreed with their coach at the previous session and Terry was exemplary in carrying out the tasks he had agreed. If he had any questions between sessions, he was able to fire them off in an e-mail to Kirsten and get a response fast. As a financial consultant, the financial aspects of his case did not faze him but he was keen to, as he put it: ‘prepare myself emotionally, physically and mentally for the final hearing’ and we went over a list of courtroom ‘dos and don’ts’ on several occasions so that they would be automatic on the day. 

On the practical side we were able to help Terry with templates for the court bundles he was preparing - no mean task for a three day final hearing. We helped him to focus on the facts of the case but as the case drew nearer and deadlines were not being met with the exchange of documents by the other side, tension was running high.  When he was thrown by his ex-wife’s “mostly emotional ‘blame the ex’ drivel”  which made up most of her 18 page narrative statement, Terry called for an impromptu session to get him back to focus on what he needed to do, and how to do it. 

When things quietened down once more, Terry wanted to discuss his old and new relationship and what he had learned from both. He looked ahead three years and saw a new business and future for himself. We also discussed keeping fit (he jogged) and the importance of sleep, particularly in the lead up to important events.  

As the case approached Kirsten helped Terry to focus on how he would feel in court, and exactly what he thought his anxieties might be. Kirsten found him a pleasure to talk to because he was able to voice his anxieties and Kirsten in turn could help him understand that he was doing everything he could. We also looked at the worst case scenario - and he decided he really wasn’t going there! 

His barrister was going to prepare a statement of issues and the skeleton argument, but he needed the chronology and an up-to-date financial statement. As we are not lawyers and do not give legal advice, it was easy to draw boundaries and make it clear what was a legal question (which we couldn’t help with) - and what was not - where we could help. 

At the end of his three day hearing an elated Terry called to say the hearing ‘went very well’, ‘the settlement was better than I’d expected’ and his barrister had been 'brilliant.' Not only did he say his evidence was ‘brilliant’ - in fact the judge complimented his evidence saying it was ‘clear evidence and brisk’  whilst Terry said ‘the judge was pulling her hair out with the other side.’ 

Here’s what Terry wrote about how our divorce coaching services helped him.    

Q: How did our services help you?

A:   "By giving me access to resources and advice not available from my solicitors."    

Q: How specifically did we help?

A:  "Gave lots of practical tips on how to give evidence in court especially the courtroom card.  You emailed me certain documents I could work from when I was acting for myself e.g. courtroom bundle index etc."

Q: What was the most useful aspect of our services?   

A:   " Advice on giving evidence and advice on emotional, physical, mental and psychological aspects of the divorce. Kirsten Gronning's coaching was invaluable as she was able to help me in areas my lawyers couldn't!"

It’s important to note that we prepare clients for their experience in the family court and under no circumstances do we rehearse the evidence, coach or discuss the evidence or detail of the case. 

Why not contact us now and tell us how we can help.