Quick answer:
Form H is a costs estimate the court uses to manage proportionality in family proceedings, most often in financial remedy cases. You file it shortly before a hearing and update it if things change. It’s not a bill of costs; it’s a best-information snapshot of what you’ve spent and what you expect to spend through the hearing. A precise, transparent Form H helps the judge manage directions and can make costs discussions less fraught.

Why Form H matters

Form H is more than just a formality—it’s a practical tool for keeping your case on track and your costs under control. Judges use it to check that the money being spent matches the complexity of the issues. If your Form H is realistic and well-organised, it shows you’re taking the process seriously and helps the court make sensible decisions about directions and next steps.

For example, if your case is about dividing a modest savings pot, the judge will expect your costs to be proportionate. If costs are spiralling, the court may tighten directions, limit issues, or encourage mediation to keep things focused. Exchanging Form H with the other side also means you both have a fair sense of what’s been spent and what’s likely to be spent, reducing the risk of nasty surprises.

Common mistakes and oversights

Many people—especially those representing themselves—make similar errors with Form H. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

• Treating Form H as a marketing piece: Padding the estimate or including costs unrelated to the case undermines your credibility. Stick to what’s relevant.

• Missing disbursements: Forgetting counsel’s brief fee, expert quotes, or transcription costs leaves gaps the judge will notice.

• Not updating: If a hearing is re-listed or the scope expands (for example, new valuation evidence), refresh your estimate.

• Poor description lines: “Miscellaneous” isn’t helpful. Use short, plain-English activity lines like “disclosure review”, “counsel conference”, or “bundle preparation”.

• Missing VAT treatment: Be clear about whether your figures are net or gross of VAT, and state which you’ve used.

Top tips for a strong Form H

• Build from a timeline: List the key tasks already done and those to come before the hearing. Assign honest time estimates and rates.

• Separate costs: Break down solicitor time, counsel fees, experts, court fees, and travel. Judges want to see the components.

• Match your hearing: Costs for a First Appointment (FA) are not the same as for an FDR or final hearing. Adjust your scope accordingly.

• Keep notes: If you’re a litigant in person, keep a simple hours log and any quotes (for example, from a direct access barrister). Attach if asked.

• Exchange civilly: Costs discussions can get tense; a neat, well-explained Form H can lower the temperature and show you’re acting in good faith.

Step-by-step: completing Form H

1. Identify the hearing and scope
State the hearing type and date. Confirm whether it’s by video (CVP) or in-person, and the likely duration.

2. Part A – Costs to date
List solicitor time with brief activity notes (for example, “Disclosure questionnaire and initial bundle index”). Add disbursements already incurred (court fees, valuation report, counsel advice). Attach invoices if required.

3. Part B – Estimated costs to the hearing
Include preparation tasks (disclosure follow-up, paginated bundle, position statement, skeleton argument if used, counsel conference), hearing attendance (counsel/solicitor hours, travel time if in person), and post-hearing tasks (costs reserved, order approval, follow-up).

4. VAT and totals
Be explicit: “Figures shown inclusive of VAT” or “exclusive of VAT”. Add a clear total.

5. Narrative box (if present/allowed)
Write a short paragraph on assumptions: “Estimate assumes single joint expert and half-day hearing; excludes any adjournment.”

6. Sign and serve
Follow your order on exchange deadlines (often 24–48 hours pre-hearing). Serve by email and file via the portal if directed.

Contextual examples

Example 1 – First Appointment (FA)
Saira is listed for a 45-minute FA. Her Form H shows modest prep: questionnaire, chronology, short bundle. She budgets a short counsel conference and 2 hours’ hearing time. The judge notes proportionality and refuses a second expert.

Example 2 – FDR with experts
Owen’s case has pensions and a jointly instructed property valuer. His Form H includes expert fees already incurred and counsel’s brief for FDR. He flags a potential additional conference if a late report arrives. The judge pushes for focused issues and an early negotiation slot.

Example 3 – Final hearing re-list
Hannah’s final hearing vacates when new bank statements emerge. She updates Form H for the extra disclosure review and revised brief fee. The update helps the judge set firm directions and control the scope.

Common lines you might include

• Solicitor: disclosure list, questionnaires, directions reply, bundle indexing, position statement, consent order drafting.

• Counsel: brief fee for FDR/final hearing, refresher, conference.

• Experts: SJE valuation or pensions report; split share of fees.

• Disbursements: court fees, process server, interpreter, transcript, travel.

Where people get stuck

• Confusing Form H with H1: H1 is a detailed statement of costs in certain family financial remedy contexts; Form H is a simpler estimate tool. Check your order.

• No evidence for counsel or expert figures: Get a written quote or email confirmation to underpin the number.

• Over- or under-shooting preparation time: Sanity-check hours against the tasks actually required by the order.

Where to get help

• Family solicitor or counsel (including direct access) for realistic line-by-line estimates.

• Court bundle and costs guidance in the Family Procedure Rules and Practice Directions.

• Settlement options (mediation/ADR) to rein in costs if proportionality is drifting.

Final thought:
A calm, honest Form H signals control and helps the court trust your approach. Caira is backed by tens of thousands of legal documents and updated weekly, so you can be confident you’re getting the most practical, up-to-date information—unlike generic chatbots. If you’re unsure about your draft or want to check for common mistakes, upload your Form H to Caira for a plain-English review.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always check the latest Family Procedure Rules and your court order.