Be properly prepared for Court specialists and experts

Although it is a common part of many family law matters, people tend to underestimate the importance of family reports and the related interviews conducted during this process.

Many Judges rely heavily on the recommendations of the family report writer, giving great weight to the analysis of these experts and their independent opinion.

Whilst decisions aren’t always made in line with family reports, it is usual practice that the recommendations of these experts form the basis of the decision ordered by the Court. Make no mistake - preparation for a family report interview does not involve telling the children what to say, how to act or what to report back. You must let your children speak for themselves as children will normally be quite honest or are at least bad liars when questioned during family report interviews. It will be obvious to the report writer when a parent has tried to coach the child for the interview.

Children do not like to be made to choose one parent over the other and any manipulation by one parent in this manner will display unfavourably in the written report.