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Financial Remedy Timetable

Led by Diellza Nika Hyseni and Mentor Nika · Updated 23 October 2026

Work out every date in financial remedy proceedings in England and Wales, from Form A to the final hearing: the Form E deadline, the first appointment documents, the FM5, Form H and H1, the FDR offers, ES1 and ES2 and the open proposals. From DMD Costs, law costs draftsmen in Westhoughton, Bolton.

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FPR Part 9 and the Financial Remedies Guide 2026
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The dates are those in the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (rules 2.9, 3.3, 9.9B, 9.12 to 9.20, 9.27, 9.27A and 9.28), Practice Directions 3A, 9A, 27A and 36ZH (the Express pilot) and the Financial Remedies Guide 2026 (March 2026), checked on legislation.gov.uk and justice.gov.uk, and in the Guide, on 23 October 2026. Any date in a court order governs. It is a guide to the dates, not legal advice: it says nothing about the merits, the division of assets or costs.

Key points

DMD Costs’ financial remedy timetable is a free online tool that works out, from the date Form A was filed and the hearing dates, every date the Family Procedure Rules 2010 Part 9 and the Financial Remedies Guide 2026 fix: Form E, the first appointment documents, the FM5, Form H and H1, the FDR offers, ES1 and ES2, the bundle and the open proposals.
Under the standard procedure the court fixes the first appointment not less than 12 and not more than 16 weeks after the application is filed (FPR 9.12(1)(a)).
Form E must be exchanged and filed, by both parties at the same time, not less than 35 days before the first appointment (FPR 9.14(1)). The concise statement of issues, chronology, questionnaire and Form G follow not less than 14 days before it (FPR 9.14(5)).
Not less than 7 days before the FDR appointment, the applicant files details of all offers, proposals and responses, including those made without prejudice (FPR 9.17(3)). If the FDR does not settle, each party files an open proposal within 21 days after it, unless the court directs otherwise (FPR 9.27A(1)).
Form H is due not less than one day before every hearing, and Form H1 not less than 14 days before the final hearing (FPR 9.27). The applicant’s open statement is due 14 days before the final hearing and the respondent’s not more than 7 days after it is served (FPR 9.28).
In the Financial Remedies Court, the applicant files the composite ES1 (case summary) and ES2 (schedule of assets and income) by 11:00 on the day before the first appointment, the FDR and the final hearing (Financial Remedies Guide 2026 paras 57, 65 and 74). Where the MIAM requirement applies, each party files an FM5 at least 7 days before the first hearing, unless the court directs another period (PD 3A paras 10B and 10C).
In the Express pilot (PD 36ZH: divorce finances under £250,000 at a pilot court, filed 7 April 2025 to 2 April 2027) the timetable is different: a first hearing 16 to 20 weeks after issue used as the FDR, Form E within 28 days of issue and open proposals within 7 days after that hearing. The calculator has a separate Express mode.
Days are clear days, and a period of 7 days or less leaves out weekends and bank holidays (FPR 2.9). The fast-track procedure, for periodical payments only, has a first hearing 6 to 10 weeks after filing and Form E within 21 days of issue (FPR 9.18 and 9.19).

How to use the financial remedy timetable

Choose the procedure. Standard (Form A: lump sum, property, pensions) or fast-track (periodical payments only, or varying them without capitalising).
Enter the filing date. The day Form A or A1 was filed, for the window in which the court should fix the first appointment or first hearing.
Add the hearing dates. The first appointment from the notice (Form C), then the FDR appointment and the final hearing as they are fixed.
Read the timetable. Every step by stage, with who does it, the rule behind it and any reading the calculator has taken; the next step from today at the top.
Copy it for the file. Copy the timetable and notes for the file or the diary. Any date in a court order governs.

The standard financial remedy timetable at a glance

Step	When	Who	Rule
First appointment fixed	12 to 16 weeks after filing	Court	FPR 9.12(1)(a)
Form E, exchanged and filed at the same time	Not less than 35 days before the first appointment	Both parties	FPR 9.14(1)
Concise statement of issues, chronology, questionnaire, Form G	Not less than 14 days before the first appointment	Each party	FPR 9.14(5)
Confirmation of persons served under r.9.13	Not less than 14 days before the first appointment	Applicant	FPR 9.14(6)
Form FM5	At least 7 days before the first hearing on notice	Each party	FPR 3.3(1A); PD 3A para 10C
Form H (costs to date, and to the FDR)	Not less than one day before the first appointment	Each party	FPR 9.27(1) and (2)
ES1 and ES2	By 11:00 the day before each hearing	Applicant	FR Guide 2026 paras 57, 65, 74
Offers, proposals and responses	Not less than 7 days before the FDR	Applicant	FPR 9.17(3)
Form H (costs to date, and to the final hearing)	Not less than one day before the FDR	Each party	FPR 9.27(1) and (3)
Open proposal after an FDR that does not settle	Within 21 days after the FDR	Each party	FPR 9.27A(1)
Open proposal where there is no FDR	Not less than 42 days before the final hearing	Each party	FPR 9.27A(2)
Form H1 (statement of costs)	Not less than 14 days before the final hearing	Each party	FPR 9.27(4)
Open statement	Not less than 14 days before the final hearing	Applicant	FPR 9.28(1)
Open statement in reply	Not more than 7 days after service of the applicant’s	Respondent	FPR 9.28(2)
Bundle	Agreed 7 and filed 5 working days before each hearing	Normally the applicant	PD 27A para 13.2

The Form E deadline

Under FPR 9.14(1), both parties must exchange their financial statements with each other and file them with the court at the same time, not less than 35 days before the first appointment. The financial statement is Form E, verified by a statement of truth and sent with the documents the form asks for and nothing else (9.14(2)); no other disclosure may be asked for or given before the first appointment (9.14(4)). A document a party was unavoidably prevented from sending must be served and filed at the earliest opportunity, with a written explanation (9.14(3)), and the court will have regard to any failure when it considers costs (9.15(6)).

The first appointment

When the application is issued, the court fixes the first appointment not less than 12 and not more than 16 weeks after it was filed (FPR 9.12(1)(a)), and the date cannot be cancelled without the court’s permission (9.12(3)). Not less than 14 days before it, each party files and serves a concise statement of the issues, a chronology, a questionnaire and a notice (Form G) saying whether they can proceed to an FDR on that occasion; the applicant also confirms who has been served under rule 9.13 (9.14(5) and (6)). Form H, with the costs to date and the costs expected up to the FDR, is due not less than one day before (9.27(1) and (2)). The party with pension rights must ask for a valuation within 7 days of receiving notice of the first appointment (9.30). Both parties must attend in person unless the court directs otherwise (9.15(8)).

ES1 and ES2 in the Financial Remedies Court

The Financial Remedies Guide 2026 (March 2026), which replaced the 2016 and 2022 efficiency statements, requires the applicant to file a composite case summary on Template ES1 and a composite schedule of assets and income on Template ES2 by 11:00 on the day before the first appointment (para 57), updated versions by 11:00 on the day before the FDR (para 65), and, with a composite chronology and an agreed statement of issues, by 11:00 on the day before the final hearing (para 74). Filing the ES1 for the first appointment satisfies the requirement to file a concise statement of issues and chronology (para 57(a)). Position statements are uploaded by 11:00 on the working day before each hearing and exchanged within an hour (paras 91 and 92). The court bundle, which must include the parties’ FM5s and Forms H or H1, is agreed 7 working days and filed not less than 5 working days before the hearing (PD 27A para 13.2, in force 2 March 2026; Guide para 81(g)); the calculator counts those as clear working days, as FPR 2.9(1)(b) and (4) require for a period set by a practice direction (our reading). The same para 13.2 puts the preliminary documents, ES1 and ES2 among them, at 11am on the working day before the hearing. At the fast-track first hearing only the ES2 is due: paras 52 and 57(a) do not apply there (para 102).

Accelerated first appointment and private FDR

The parties can agree the first appointment directions in the Guide’s standard form of consent order (para 54 and Annexes 2 and 3). If the court approves it, the first appointment is vacated and the order sets its own dates, including costs estimates 7 days before the FDR. If the parties propose a private FDR and the court agrees, the order fixes the evaluator and the date, dispenses with the court FDR and lists a mention shortly after (paras 59 and 60); the 21 days for open proposals still run from the private FDR (para 77).

The Express pilot (PD 36ZH)

Practice Direction 36ZH runs a pilot from 7 April 2025 for applications filed by 2 April 2027 at listed courts, where the application is connected with a divorce, dissolution or nullity, is not for a consent order or an MCA s.31 variation, and the combined net assets are under £250,000 (para 1.3). It replaces the standard timetable: a first hearing 16 to 20 weeks and a final hearing 26 to 30 weeks after issue (r.9.21B); Form E within 28 days of issue, a questionnaire within 14 days of the exchange and replies within 28 days of receipt (r.9.21D(1), (5) and (9)); settlement proposals 21 days, a schedule of issues 14 days and the ES1, ES2 and composite chronology 7 days before the first hearing (r.9.21D(11), (13) and (14)); the first hearing used as the FDR (r.9.21E); and open proposals within 7 days after it (r.9.21F), rule 9.27A being omitted.

The FDR hearing

The FDR appointment is a meeting for discussion and negotiation; the FDR judge takes no further part except to make a consent order or further directions (FPR 9.17(1) and (2)). Not less than 7 days before it, the applicant files details of all offers, proposals and responses, including without prejudice ones (9.17(3) and (4)), and each party files Form H with the costs expected up to the final hearing not less than one day before (9.27(3)). If it does not settle, each party files and serves an open proposal within 21 days after it, unless the court directs otherwise (9.27A(1); PD 9A para 6.5A).

Before the final hearing

Not less than 14 days before the final hearing, each party files and serves Form H1, full particulars of the costs incurred and expected (FPR 9.27(4)), and the applicant files an open statement of the orders it will ask for, with the amounts; the respondent replies not more than 7 days after it is served (9.28). Where there was no FDR, open proposals are due not less than 42 days before the final hearing (9.27A(2)). The Guide expects a pre-trial review about four weeks before a final hearing of three days or more (every case at High Court Judge level), and any experts’ discussion not later than 28 days before (paras 68, 70 and 73).

Counting the days: FPR 2.9

A period expressed in days is counted in clear days: the day it begins and the day of the hearing are not counted (FPR 2.9(2) and (3)). Where the period is 7 days or less, a day that is not a business day does not count (2.9(4)), which PD 9A para 3.1A applies to Form H and H1. Rule 2.9(5) lets an act at the court office be done on the next open day only where a period ends on a day the office is closed; it does not shorten the notice the other side must have. So where a “before” date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the calculator moves it back to the business day before and marks it as our reading. The 12 to 16 weeks are counted as 84 to 112 calendar days after filing (our reading: rule 2.9 speaks only of days).

Form FM5 and non-court dispute resolution

From 29 April 2024 (FPR 3.3(1A), inserted by SI 2023/1324, and PD 3A para 10C), each party must file and serve Form FM5, setting out their views on non-court dispute resolution, at least 7 days before the first hearing on notice, unless the court directs another period. It applies only in financial remedy proceedings where the MIAM requirement applies (PD 3A paras 10B and 13: not, for example, Hague 2007 or Part III 1984 Act applications, or consent orders), and not where the MIAM exemption was claimed on the ground of domestic abuse or a Form C1A was filed. Where FPR 28.3 applies, a failure, without good reason, to attend a MIAM or non-court dispute resolution is a factor in costs (FPR 28.3(7)(aa)).

The fast-track procedure

The fast-track applies to applications for periodical payments only, under the 1978 Act or Schedule 6 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004, under the 2007 Hague Convention, and to variations of periodical payments that do not capitalise them (FPR 9.9B). The court fixes a first hearing 6 to 10 weeks after filing (9.18(1)(a)); the financial statements (Form E, E1 or E2) are exchanged and filed not more than 21 days after issue (9.19(1)); and the court must decide the application at the first hearing if it can (9.20). A respondent who wants the standard procedure must ask, with reasons, within 7 days of service (9.18A(4)).

Costs in financial remedy proceedings

In most financial remedy proceedings the general rule is that the court will not order one party to pay the other’s costs, but it can do so because of a party’s conduct in the proceedings, including a failure to comply with the rules and practice directions (FPR 28.3). That rule does not apply to interim orders such as maintenance pending suit or legal services orders (FPR 28.3(4)(b)), nor to Schedule 1, MCA s.27 or 1978 Act applications (PD 28A para 4.2). Form H and Form H1 are how each party tells the court what it has spent and expects to spend: use the free Form H and Form H1 builder to fill them in.

Form H and Form H1 builder, the costs estimate and statement of costs under FPR 9.27
CPR deadline calculator, for time limits in the civil courts
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Sources

Family Procedure Rules 2010 r.2.9, r.3.3, r.9.9B, r.9.12, r.9.13, r.9.14, r.9.15, r.9.17, r.9.18, r.9.18A, r.9.19, r.9.20, r.9.27, r.9.27A, r.9.28, r.9.30 and r.28.3 (legislation.gov.uk); Part 9 on justice.gov.uk
Practice Direction 9A (paras 3.1A and 6.5A, and the pre-application protocol), Practice Direction 3A (paras 10B and 10C) and Practice Direction 27A (para 13.2)
The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2023 (SI 2023/1324), in force 29 April 2024
The Financial Remedies Court: Financial Remedies Guide 2026 (March 2026), paras 52 to 77, 81, 82, 91, 92 and 98 to 100
GOV.UK: Form A, Form E, Form FM5 and applying for a financial order

Frequently asked questions

Yes. It is completely free, with no sign-up, no paywall and no limit. It runs in your browser, and nothing you type is sent to DMD Costs. It works out dates only: it is not legal advice and says nothing about the merits, the division of assets or costs.

Under the standard procedure, both parties must exchange Form E with each other and file it with the court at the same time, not less than 35 days before the first appointment (FPR 9.14(1)). The 35 days are clear days, so neither the day of exchange nor the day of the first appointment counts. Under the fast-track procedure, the financial statement (Form E, E1 or E2) is due not more than 21 days after the application is issued (FPR 9.19(1)).

When the application is issued under the standard procedure, the court fixes a first appointment not less than 12 weeks and not more than 16 weeks after the date it was filed, and a court officer gives both parties notice of the date (FPR 9.12(1)). The date cannot be cancelled without the court’s permission (FPR 9.12(3)).

Each party files and serves a concise statement of the issues, a chronology, a questionnaire (or a statement that none is needed) and a notice saying whether they can proceed to an FDR at the first appointment, Form G (FPR 9.14(5)). The applicant also confirms who has been served under rule 9.13 (FPR 9.14(6)). The Financial Remedies Guide 2026 limits the questionnaire to four pages and, at Circuit and District Judge level, asks for a market appraisal of the family home, property particulars (up to three each for themselves and three each for the other party) and borrowing capacity material by the same day (paras 52 and 56).

Template ES1 is the composite case summary and Template ES2 the composite schedule of assets and income, based on the parties’ Forms E. In the Financial Remedies Court the applicant must file both by 11:00 on the day before the first appointment, updated versions by 11:00 on the day before the FDR, and, with a composite chronology and an agreed statement of issues, by 11:00 on the day before the final hearing (Financial Remedies Guide 2026 paras 57, 65 and 74). The parties must collaborate: competing documents are unacceptable, and the obligation applies to litigants in person too.

The Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) appointment is a meeting for discussion and negotiation, at which the parties must use their best endeavours to reach agreement; the FDR judge then has no further involvement except to make a consent order or directions (FPR 9.17(1) and (2)). Not less than 7 days before it, the applicant files details of all offers, proposals and responses, including without prejudice ones (FPR 9.17(3)). Each party files Form H, with the costs expected up to the final hearing, not less than one day before (FPR 9.27(3)).

If the court does not make a consent order or direct a further FDR, each party must file and serve an open proposal for settlement by the date the court directs or, if it directs none, within 21 days after the FDR (FPR 9.27A(1); PD 9A para 6.5A). Then, not less than 14 days before the final hearing, the applicant files an open statement of the orders it will seek, and the respondent replies not more than 7 days after service (FPR 9.28). Where there is no FDR at all, open proposals are due not less than 42 days before the final hearing (FPR 9.27A(2)).

Form H, the estimate of costs, not less than one day before every hearing or appointment except the final hearing; Form H1, full particulars of costs, not less than 14 days before the final hearing, unless the court directs otherwise (FPR 9.27). The free Form H and Form H1 builder fills in the official forms.

Form FM5 sets out a party’s views on non-court dispute resolution, verified by a statement of truth. From 29 April 2024, each party must file and serve it at least 7 days before the first hearing on notice, and an updated one before a later hearing if the court requires unless the court directs another period (FPR 3.3(1A), inserted by SI 2023/1324; PD 3A para 10C). It applies only in financial remedy proceedings where the MIAM requirement applies (PD 3A paras 10B and 13: not, for example, Hague 2007 or Part III 1984 Act applications, or consent orders), and not where the MIAM exemption was claimed on the ground of domestic abuse or a Form C1A was filed.

Yes. The Express pilot (PD 36ZH, from 7 April 2025) applies to standard-procedure applications connected with a divorce, dissolution or nullity, not for a consent order or an MCA s.31 variation, where combined net assets are under £250,000, started at a pilot court and filed by 2 April 2027. The court fixes a first hearing 16 to 20 weeks and a final hearing 26 to 30 weeks after issue; Form E is exchanged within 28 days of issue; settlement proposals are due 21 days, a schedule of issues 14 days and the ES1, ES2 and chronology 7 days before the first hearing, which is used as the FDR; and open proposals follow within 7 days after it (FPR 9.21B to 9.21F as inserted by PD 36ZH). Choose the Express pilot in the calculator for those dates.

Under FPR 2.9 a period expressed in days is counted in clear days: the day the period begins and the day of the hearing are not counted. Where the period is 7 days or less, a day that is not a business day does not count, so the 7 days before the FDR and the one day before a hearing for Form H are business days. Longer periods, such as the 14 and 35 days, count weekends and bank holidays. The calculator moves a date that falls on a weekend or bank holiday back to the business day before, so the notice is never cut short.

Where the application is for periodical payments only, under the 1978 Act or Schedule 6 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004, under the 2007 Hague Convention, or to vary periodical payments without capitalising them (FPR 9.9B). The court fixes a first hearing 6 to 10 weeks after filing, the financial statements are exchanged within 21 days of issue, and the court must decide the application at the first hearing if it can (FPR 9.18 to 9.20). A party can ask for the standard procedure: the applicant in the application, the respondent within 7 days of service (FPR 9.18A).

Costs work in civil claims

DMD Costs prepares and negotiates costs for claimant solicitor firms in civil claims. We do not do family work, so this free timetable is here for anyone running financial remedy proceedings.

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