Preparing Your Bundle for a Family Court Directions Hearing

Last updated: March 2026

Quick Answer

A directions hearing (also called a case management hearing) is one of the earliest hearings in family court proceedings. It is not a trial — the judge will not decide the outcome of your case. Instead, the judge gives directions (instructions) about what needs to happen before the case can be resolved. Your bundle for a directions hearing should be concise and focused: typically including the application form, any existing orders, a position statement, a draft set of proposed directions, a chronology, and key correspondence. Getting this right sets the tone for the rest of your case.

---

What Is a Directions Hearing?

A directions hearing is the court's way of managing your case. The judge reviews where things stand, identifies the key issues, and makes orders about what steps need to be taken before the next hearing.

Common directions include:

• Ordering witness statements to be filed by a specific date
• Requesting a Cafcass section 7 report
• Directing disclosure of documents (financial or otherwise)
• Setting a timetable for the case through to final hearing
• Listing further hearings

In child arrangements cases, the first hearing is called an FHDRA (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment). In financial remedy proceedings, the first hearing is the FDA (First Directions Appointment). Both serve a similar purpose: getting the case organised.

---

Why Your Directions Hearing Bundle Matters

You might think that because a directions hearing is "just procedural," the bundle does not matter much. That would be a mistake.

The directions hearing is often the first time a judge sees your case. The impression you create at this stage — through your paperwork — carries forward. A judge who receives a well-organised, concise bundle thinks: "This person takes the case seriously and has thought carefully about what needs to happen."

A judge who receives a disorganised pile of documents, or no bundle at all, draws the opposite conclusion.

Moreover, the directions the judge gives will shape the entire case. If you have not clearly set out what you want and why, the judge may make directions that do not serve your interests — not out of bias, but because they did not have the information they needed.

---

What to Include in a Directions Hearing Bundle

The bundle for a directions hearing is much shorter than a final hearing bundle. You do not need hundreds of pages of evidence at this stage. Here is what to include:

1. The Application Form

This is the document that started the proceedings:

Include the complete form, including any supporting information that was filed with it.

2. The Respondent's Answer (If Filed)

If the other party has filed a response — an Answer to the application, a Form E in financial cases, or a C1A alleging harm — include it. If no response has been filed yet, note this in your position statement.

3. Existing Court Orders

Include any orders that have already been made in the case. If this is the first hearing, there may not be any — but if there were interim orders, urgent applications, or orders from previous related proceedings, they should be in the bundle.

4. Your Position Statement

This is arguably the most important document in a directions hearing bundle. A position statement tells the judge:

• Who you are and your role in the proceedings
• What the case is about — a brief summary of the background
• What has happened since the application was filed — any developments, agreements, or disputes
• What directions you are seeking — and why you believe they are necessary
• Whether there is any agreement between the parties on any issues

Keep your position statement to two pages. Judges at directions hearings have limited time — often 30 to 45 minutes — and they will not read a 15-page document for a case management appointment.

Write your position statement with guidance. BundleCreator.co includes pre-loaded templates for position statements in family proceedings. The template prompts you to include the information judges expect, helping you cover everything without writing more than necessary.

5. Draft Directions

This is a document that many litigants in person overlook — and it makes a significant difference.

A draft set of directions sets out, in numbered paragraphs, the orders you would like the court to make. For example:

1. The parties shall each file and serve a witness statement by 4pm on [date].
2. Cafcass is directed to prepare a section 7 report, to be filed by [date].
3. The applicant shall disclose [specific documents] by [date].
4. The matter is listed for a further directions hearing / final hearing on [date], with a time estimate of [X hours/days].

Providing a draft gives the judge a starting point. Even if the judge does not adopt your proposed directions exactly, it shows you have thought about what needs to happen and when.

6. Chronology

A chronology is a table listing the key events in date order:

Keep the chronology to key dates only. This is not a narrative — it is a timeline that helps the judge grasp the essential history at a glance.

7. Key Correspondence

Include only correspondence that is directly relevant to the directions the court needs to give. This might include:

• Letters between the parties (or their solicitors) showing what has been agreed and what remains in dispute
• Correspondence with Cafcass
• Letters from the court
• Any without-prejudice-save-as-to-costs communications (if the court has directed these to be disclosed)

Do not include every email, text message, or letter exchanged between the parties. At the directions stage, the judge does not need to read the full history of your relationship breakdown.

---

How to Organise the Bundle

Even for a short directions hearing, your bundle should follow the PD27A structure:

Paginate the bundle continuously. Number every page. Create an index at the front listing each document with its page numbers.

For a typical directions hearing, the entire bundle might be 30 to 60 pages. That is perfectly adequate.

Get PD27A alignment without the headache. BundleCreator.co automatically structures your bundle into the correct sections, paginates every page, and generates a hyperlinked index. Upload your documents, drag them into position, and export a court-ready PDF.

---

Filing Your Directions Hearing Bundle

When to File

For interim hearings (which includes most directions hearings), PD27A requires the bundle to be filed not less than 2 working days before the hearing. In practice, aim for earlier if possible — judges appreciate having time to read the papers.

How to File

Most family courts now accept electronic bundles filed by email. Check with the specific court — some still require physical copies for certain types of hearing. The court's listing office can tell you what format they expect.

If filing electronically:

• Send a single PDF (not multiple attachments)
• Use a clear subject line: e.g., "Smith v Smith — Case No. XX1234 — Bundle for Directions Hearing 15/03/2026"
• Keep the file size under 20MB if possible
• Ensure the PDF is text-searchable

Serving the Other Party

You must serve (send) a copy of the bundle to the other party at the same time you file it with the court. If the other party has a solicitor, serve it on the solicitor. If they are a litigant in person, serve it on them directly at their address for service.

---

What Happens at the Directions Hearing

Understanding the hearing helps you prepare better.

Before the Hearing

You will arrive at court and check in with the usher. If the other party has a solicitor, that solicitor may approach you to discuss whether any directions can be agreed in advance. You are not obliged to agree to anything, but it can save court time if some matters are settled before you go in front of the judge.

During the Hearing

The judge will typically:

1. Identify the parties and confirm everyone has a copy of the bundle
2. Ask whether there are any agreed directions
3. Hear from each party about what directions they seek and why
4. Decide what directions to make
5. List the next hearing (if appropriate)

You will be asked to speak. Keep your submissions focused on what directions are needed and why. This is not the time to give a detailed account of everything the other party has done wrong — save that for your witness statement.

After the Hearing

The court will draw up a formal order setting out the directions. Read it carefully when you receive it and note every deadline. Missing a court-ordered deadline can have serious consequences, including having your evidence excluded or your case struck out.

---

Common Mistakes at Directions Hearings

Filing No Bundle at All

Some litigants in person arrive with no bundle, expecting to simply tell the judge what they want. The judge needs documents — at minimum, they need the application form and any existing orders.

Filing Too Much

The opposite mistake: arriving with a 300-page bundle for a 30-minute hearing. Include what is relevant to the directions stage, not everything you have ever collected.

No Position Statement

Without a position statement, the judge has no written summary of your position and must extract it from you during the hearing. This wastes time and means you may not cover everything important.

No Draft Directions

Without a draft, you are relying on the judge and the other party to propose directions. If you want specific things to happen — disclosure of particular documents, a section 7 report, a fact-finding hearing — you need to ask for them in writing.

Not Knowing the Case Timetable

Judges expect you to have thought about realistic timetables. If you ask for witness statements to be filed within a week but a reasonable time would be six weeks, the judge may question whether you understand the process.

---

Using BundleCreator.co for Directions Hearing Bundles

Even though a directions hearing bundle is shorter than a final hearing bundle, it still needs to comply with PD27A. BundleCreator.co makes this straightforward:

• Select the Family Court bundle template — pre-configured with PD27A sections
• Upload your documents — application form, orders, correspondence
• Use the built-in templates to draft your position statement and chronology
• Drag and drop documents into the correct sections
• Export a fully paginated, indexed, bookmarked PDF

The whole process takes minutes rather than hours. And because the software handles pagination and indexing automatically, you can add or remove documents without having to renumber everything manually.

Start building your directions hearing bundle

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a directions hearing and a final hearing?

A directions hearing deals with case management — what steps need to be taken and by when. A final hearing is where the judge hears evidence and makes a decision on the substantive issues in your case. The bundle requirements are different for each: directions hearings need a concise, focused bundle; final hearings need comprehensive evidence.

Do I need a bundle for an FHDRA?

Yes. An FHDRA (First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment) is a type of directions hearing, and you should prepare a bundle. At minimum, include the C100 application, any C1A form, your position statement, and a chronology. The Cafcass safeguarding letter (if received) should also be included.

How long should my position statement be for a directions hearing?

Two pages is usually sufficient. The judge has limited time and many cases to hear. Cover the key background, the current position, and the directions you are seeking. Keep it factual and focused.

Can I ask for specific directions?

Absolutely. In fact, you should. Prepare a draft set of proposed directions setting out exactly what orders you want the court to make. The judge is not obliged to follow your draft, but it demonstrates good preparation and gives the court a starting point.

What if the other party has not filed their response yet?

Note this in your position statement and consider whether you need a direction requiring them to file their response by a specific date. The judge can make such an order and set consequences for non-compliance.

Should I include text messages or social media evidence at the directions stage?

Generally, no. The directions hearing is about case management, not evidence. Save detailed evidence for the witness statement stage. The exception is if a specific piece of correspondence is directly relevant to a direction you are seeking — for example, a message showing the other party agreed to a particular arrangement.

What if I cannot attend the directions hearing?

If you cannot attend, apply to the court in advance for the hearing to be conducted remotely (by telephone or video) or to be adjourned to a different date. Do not simply fail to attend — the court may make directions in your absence, and you will be bound by them.

---

This article provides general information about preparing for family court directions hearings in England and Wales. It is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, consult a qualified family law solicitor.