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I’ve been served with papers.
Being served can feel overwhelming. The first task is not to answer every allegation immediately. It is to understand exactly what you received and what must happen next.
- Orient yourself
- Take action
- Choose the next step
Read the first page and every order.
Identify the court, case number, type of application, hearing date and any deadline for a response or statement.
Do not ignore interim restrictions.
If an order says you must or must not do something, follow it unless and until the court changes it. Get urgent advice if the wording is unclear.
Make a document list.
Write the title and date of every document in the bundle. Note anything referred to but missing.
Get focused help.
Send a legal adviser the application, orders, hearing notice and a short factual chronology—not an unstructured archive.
Keep in mind
- Do not contact the other party in a way prohibited by an order.
- Do not alter screenshots or original messages.
- A response should address relevant facts and the orders sought, not every insult or grievance.