Assumption: "I am being dragged to court to have my character defiled. I am the one being bullied here. My refusal to engage is self-defence."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
Refusing to engage in financial remedy proceedings — negotiations, disclosure, and court participation — is a legitimate and defensible response to feeling victimised by the process.
Court Reality
A respondent's refusal to engage often leads to serious consequences. The applicant may have no choice but to go to court if the respondent won't participate. Under FPR 2010 Part 28.1 and the Senior Courts Act 1981 s.51, the court can order the non-engaging party to pay costs. The court may also draw adverse inferences from non-engagement, which can affect the outcome of the case.
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The Gap?
"I am being dragged to court to have my character defiled. I am the one being bullied here. My refusal to engage is self-defence."
Court Reality
A respondent's refusal to engage often leads to serious consequences. The applicant may have no choice but to go to court if the respondent won't participate. Under FPR 2010 Part 28.1 and the Senior Courts Act 1981 s.51, the court can order the non-engaging party to pay costs. The court may also draw adverse inferences from non-engagement, which can affect the outcome of the case.
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