1. Give your opening statements

The trial starts with you and your partner each giving an opening statement.

In the opening statement you tell the judge:

• a summary of the issues in your family law case,
• what you're asking for, and
• the evidence you will be presenting to support the orders you want the judge to make.

You do not present your evidence in your opening statement.

The applicant goes first. The respondent can go right after or wait until after the applicant's witnesses give their evidence and they start presenting their case.