CourtTutor shows you exactly what to expect, where to sit, what to say, and how to present your case. Built by a father who spent two years and £50k in the family courts learning the hard way.
"I don't know where to sit. I don't know what to call the judge. I don't know when to speak. I don't know what they'll ask me."
Small claims hearings are informal. The judge knows you're not a lawyer. They want to hear the facts clearly. Thousands of people do this every day. You just need to know what to expect.
You arrive late. You bring loose papers. You ramble instead of stating facts. You get flustered under questions. You lose a case you should have won.
You arrive early, sit in the right place, present your case with numbered documents, answer questions calmly, and give the judge exactly what they need to decide in your favour.
Claims up to £10,000. Informal, designed for self-represented litigants. The most common court experience for ordinary people.
Fast track and multi-track. More formal procedure, stricter evidence rules, witness statements, cross-examination.
FHDRA, DRA, Final Hearings. CAFCASS reports, position statements, child arrangements. Procedural guidance only.
Unfair dismissal, discrimination, redundancy. Three-person panel, witness statements, cross-examination.
Section 21, Section 8, rent arrears. Fast-paced, high stakes, often someone's first court experience.
Benefits appeals, tax disputes. Less formal than courts but unfamiliar to most people who end up there.
Criminal cases, licensing, some civil matters. Three magistrates or a district judge.
Inquests into deaths. No sides, no winners. Understanding the process reduces distress for families.
Objecting to or supporting planning applications. Public speaking in a structured committee setting.
Interactive floor plans for every court type. Tap any position to see who sits there, what they do, and how to address them.
Step-by-step timeline from arrival to judgment. What happens at each stage, how long it takes, what's expected of you.
Guided document preparation. Checklists per case type, page numbering, index templates. Your evidence, properly organised.
Common judicial questions with guidance on structuring your answer. Not scripts. Frameworks for staying clear, calm, and credible.
Set your court date. Get a preparation timeline working backwards. Milestone reminders for bundles, evidence, and travel.
How to address the judge. When to stand. When to speak. How to handle the other side. The unwritten rules nobody tells you.
"I spent over two years in the family courts fighting for my daughter. It cost over £50,000 in legal fees. I paid for professional witness preparation services. And I still walked into hearings feeling underprepared. The system isn't built for ordinary people. The companies that prepare witnesses charge hundreds per session and only serve corporate clients. I built CourtTutor because I understand what it feels like to sit in that waiting room with your whole life on the line and no idea what's about to happen. Nobody should face that alone."
CourtTutor launches with family court preparation first, followed by small claims and employment tribunals. Join the list and we'll let you know when it's ready.
CourtTutor provides procedural information about UK courts and hearings. It is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and is not a substitute for professional legal representation. CourtTutor helps you understand court processes, etiquette, and preparation. It does not advise on the substance of your case or tell you what to argue. For advice on your specific legal situation, consult a qualified solicitor.