Although most of the time domestic cases are resolved without the need of a family court in Sydney, sometimes a hearing in front of a judge cannot be avoided. These situations can be incredibly stressful for anyone involved.
So, to help you out, keep reading to find out some top tips for surviving family court in Sydney.
1: Hire a lawyer
The first, and the most foolproof of making your family court in Sydney case as easy and stress free as possible is by hiring an experienced lawyer. The simple truth is, regardless of the situation, standing in front of a judge and fighting for your rights is going to be stressful. This is made no easier by the heightened emotions of domestic cases and not knowing the laws, what you’re entitled to and the need to fill out documents and forms.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the situation, look for a local legal professional who specializes in domestic cases and ask for their advice and help during the proceedings. This will take a lot of pressure off of you. When it comes to surviving legal proceedings, lawyers are a lifeboat!
2: Be prepared
If you have hired a lawyer, being prepared is something you won’t have to think about too much. However, they may ask you to do some things in order to make sure you are ready for the family court in Sydney.
Being prepared means doing lots of research so you are aware of what is likely to happen and ensuring that you have all the relevant documents, correctly filled out and with you. It is generally recommended that you bring a note pad and pen with you so you can jot down any thoughts or queries during the hearing.
3: Dress appropriately
As ridiculous as it may sound, the way you present yourself could have a large impact on the outcome of the case. People will always say that they don’t judge a book by its cover, or a person by their clothes, but this is a complete lie. The way you dress for your hearing and the way you present yourself will be the first impression you give the judge.
A family court in Sydney is a formal place and therefore you should dress as such. Failing to do so will make you appear disrespectful and unprepared. It is even more important to look responsible and aware of the gravity of the situation if you are dealing with a child custody hearing.
4: Arrive early
A family court in Sydney is stressful, there is no way to avoid this. However, there are ways of minimizing the stress. One way of doing this is by simply arriving at the location with plenty of time to spare. It is often suggested that you aim to arrive at the location at least half an hour before your hearing is due to start. This will give you enough time to find the exact room and calm your nerves before the hearing starts.
5: 5 minutes before the hearing…
Once you have relaxed and found the exact room your hearing is set to be held in, you will need to do a few things. It is important to remember that no recording device is allowed in a family court in Sydney, therefore make sure you declare it and hand it over before entering.
Before entering the room, make sure you turn off mobile phones or any other electrical equipment. You will also need to remove any hats or sunglasses. Food and drink is also prohibited inside, so make sure you finish this or bin it before entering.