Looking for help in your family court proceedings?Bridge The Gap is a free, community-built guide to UK family court, written by litigants and McKenzie Friends, for litigants. Real observations, plain English, and people who can help.
The Order Is Not Being Followed
It is a very common and very upsetting situation. Records tend to matter.
Whether the order is about the children, money or protection, people often feel the order was pointless when it is ignored. These are observations from litigants and McKenzie Friends, not legal advice.
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The Gaps
Family court is full of things nobody warns you about.
We call them Gaps — the difference between what people believe about family court and what actually happens. Reading them before your hearing could change everything.
Keep a simple record
Litigants often keep a dated log of what the order says, what happened instead, and any messages sent. Facts rather than feelings are the common advice. This applies equally to orders about children, money or protection.
Read the order carefully
People are sometimes surprised by what an order does and does not say. Wording about times, handovers and who does what often matters.
Try calm written contact first
Many litigants send a short, polite message referring to the order before going back to court, and keep a copy.
Courts can be asked to look again
Where problems continue, people commonly ask the court to consider the matter. Support with the paperwork is widely used.
Did you know?
Most people go into family court believing things that simply aren't true.
The Gaps are short, honest explanations of the most common family court misconceptions — written in plain English, not legal jargon. Each one covers what people believe, why that belief exists, and what the court reality actually is.
How Bridge The Gap Can Help
McKenzie Friends
Browse our directory of court support professionals.
Find SupportFamily Court Reality
Plain-English analyses of the most common family court misconceptions — so you know what to actually expect.
Explore the GapsResources & Guides
Access guides to court forms, procedures, and resources to help you prepare and present your case effectively.
View ResourcesFrequently Asked Questions
Your experience matters
Have you been through family court? You know something others don't.
The Gaps are built from real litigant experiences. If you discovered something in your case that nobody warned you about — something that changed how you understood the process — your contribution could help someone else avoid the same shock.