Interim contact hearing

I have an interim contact hearing forthcoming shortly. I am likely to be self-represented. The documents I have received state that

"the oral evidence which the parties shall be entitled to bring to the final hearing of this matter shall be limited to those witnesses whose statements have been filed and served on all other parties and CAFCASS (where appointed) in accordance with the following Directions. Applicant and respondent by (date and time).

Name of Petitioner V name of respondent"

I have two questions:

1. Do I need to file a witness statement myself further substantiating what I have asked for (in addition to the statement I provided as part of the C100 contact order?)

2. Is it worthwhile asking friends and relatives to file supporting statements or is this likely to be viewed as subjective and biased and therefore of limited value?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer

Hi cs,

I have two questions:

1. Do I need to file a witness statement myself further substantiating what I have asked for (in addition to the statement I provided as part of the C100 contact order?)

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Yes, you will initially have submitted a short statement outlining what you are applying for.
You now have to submit a detailed position statement.
Put in everything you feel the court should know but stick to facts and try not to repeat yourself.
Judges are easliy bored.
My main statement was 17 pages long.

2. Is it worthwhile asking friends and relatives to file supporting statements or is this likely to be viewed as subjective and biased and therefore of limited value?

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If your witnesses have something very important to add to your case and are willing to attend court, then yes.
If you're thinking of calling in family or friends to give character statements then forget it.
They most likely won't even be called in and their statements will largely be ignored.

Many thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Hi below is the sub titles i used in our statement:

Introduction - why you ave applied to courts and what you are applying for
Background - when married, how long with ex partner, when child was born etc
Difficulties around contact-
Communication issues-
summary of concerns -
My family & support network-
Proposal - what you want to happen for contact we included holidays, birthdays, xmas, pick up and drop off etc
Conclusion-

If you can get any statements from schools, health visitor/doctors, child minders etc that support your input to the childs wellbeing then they are always good to submit.

hope this helps