How to Write a Powerful Position Statement for Family Court

The Most Overlooked Tool in Family Court

A Position Statement is a brief, written document submitted to the court (and the other party) shortly before a hearing. It serves as an executive summary of your case.

Why is it so powerful? Because family court judges are notoriously overworked. They often receive case files only minutes before a hearing begins. A clear, concise, and professional Position Statement can frame the entire narrative of the hearing in your favour before you even open your mouth.

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Rule #1: Keep It Brief and Formatted Correctly

A Position Statement is not a witness statement. It is not the place to attach 50 pages of WhatsApp screenshots, nor is it the place to recount every argument of the past five years.

• Length: It should strictly be 2 to 3 pages long. If a judge sees a 15-page essay, they will likely toss it aside.
• Formatting: Use 1.5 line spacing, a highly legible font (like Arial or Times New Roman, size 12), and number every single paragraph. Paragraph numbering allows the judge to say, "Mr. Smith, referring to paragraph 4 of your statement..."
• Header: At the top right, include the Case Number, the Court Name, the Children's Names, and the Date of the Hearing.

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The Golden Rule: The "Child-Centric" Filter

The family court operates under the Children Act 1989, which mandates that the child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration. Therefore, your statement must not be about your "rights" as a father or how unfairly you have been treated.

Before you write a sentence, pass it through the "Child-Centric Filter". How does this issue affect the child?

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The Perfect 4-Part Structure

Use clear, bold headings to make the document highly scannable. A winning structure looks exactly like this:

1. Introduction / Background

Provide a brief 3-sentence summary of the current situation so the judge instantly knows who is who.

"1. The parties separated in March 2025. There are two children of the family: Thomas (aged 7) and Sarah (aged 4).
2. I am the Applicant Father, seeking a Child Arrangements Order to reinstate regular and meaningful contact with my children."

2. The Current Situation

Objectively state what is happening right now. Avoid highly emotive adjectives. State pure facts.

"3. Prior to October 2025, the children spent every alternate weekend with me, from Friday after school until Sunday evening.
4. On 15th October 2025, the Mother unilaterally suspended all contact without providing a safeguarding justification. I have not seen the children in 12 weeks."

3. Brief Response to Concerns (If Applicable)

If the mother has made allegations, address them briefly and calmly. Do not write a 10-page defense here.

"5. I note the Mother's recent allegations of aggressive behavior. I categorically deny these claims. I am a calm, loving father, and I welcome any safeguarding checks the court deems necessary."

4. Proposals / What You Are Asking For Today

This is the most critical section. Give the judge a clear, structured timetable of what you want ordered at this specific hearing. Judges appreciate solutions.

"6. I respectfully invite the court to make the following orders today:
a) An interim Child Arrangements Order reinstating weekend contact.
b) Alternatively, if the court requires further assessment, I propose interim contact at a supported contact centre for 2 hours per week, pending a Section 7 report."

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Tone of Voice: The "Reasonable Father"

Write reasonably, politely, and respectfully. Refer to your ex-partner as "The Mother" and yourself as "The Father" or "The Applicant".

If the mother has made wild, hurtful allegations against you, it is incredibly tempting to use your Position Statement to attack her character and call her a liar. Do not do this. Sinking to that level makes you look like a high-conflict individual. A calm, measured, child-focused response is incredibly powerful and immediately establishes you as the safe, reasonable parent in the eyes of the judge.