1. Prepare your trial record

Rule 23: Evidence and trial says you must use a trial record for your trial.

If you’re starting a court case, you’re called the applicant. Your partner is called the respondent. You’re both known as the parties in your family court case.

At least 30 days before your trial date, the applicant has to serve the respondent with a trial record. It has to have:

• a Table of Contents
• Form 8: Application, Form 10: Answer, and Form 10A: Reply
• any Agreed Statement of Facts that lists the facts you and your partner agree on
• Form 13: Financial Statement or Form 13.1: Financial Statement, if there are support or property issues
• Form 13A: Certificate of Financial Disclosure, if there are support or property issues
• Form 13B: Net Family Property Statement, if there are property issues
• any assessment reports that have been prepared by a mental health professional like a social worker or psychologist, or any report by the Office of the Children’s Lawyer
• Trial Scheduling Endorsement Form, if your case is at the Superior Court of Justice
• any temporary orders
• any orders related to the trial
• the relevant parts of any court transcript you want to use at trial

The respondent can add to the trial record by serving and filing documents at least 7 days before the trial starts.