If you’ve already started doing research or speaking to legal professionals, you may have heard some legal jargon. We’ve created this
section to help explain common terms you might come across.
Key Legal Terms
Legal Aid: Government funding to help cover legal costs for those who cannot afford them. Eligibility depends on your financial circumstances and the nature of your case. You can find out more on https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid
Non-Molestation Order: A court order designed to protect individuals from being harmed or harassed by a family member. It prohibits certain actions and behaviours.
Financial Order: An order by a court in divorce or separation cases, dealing with the division of assets, property, and ongoing financial support.
Child Arrangement Order: A legal decision outlining where a child will live and how they will spend time with each parent. It’s about ensuring the child’s welfare.
Consent Order: A legal agreement, approved by a court, which makes the terms of a financial settlement legally binding in a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership.
Specific Issue Order: A court order resolving a particular issue in dispute about a child’s upbringing. For example, deciding on the child’s education or religious upbringing when parents cannot agree.
Financial Remedy Order: A broader term for financial
orders in divorce or dissolution proceedings. It encompasses orders for maintenance payments, lump sum payments, property adjustment, and pension sharing.
Prohibited Steps Order: This order prevents a parent from making specific decisions or taking certain actions concerning their child
without the court’s permission. It’s often used to prevent a parent from taking the child abroad.
Occupation Order: This order relates to who can live in the family home. It can restrict a person from entering the property or certain parts of it, often used in situations of domestic violence or relationship breakdown.
Application Filing: Initiating a legal process by submitting formal documents to the court.
Serving Documents: Legally delivering court documents to the other party in the case.
Mediation: A process where an impartial mediator helps parties reach a mutual agreement without going to court.
Court Hearings: Formal sessions where a judge hears the case and makes legal decisions.
