First hearing preparation

As a litigant in person with the first hearing in financial settlement coming up 6 November and financial documents due for exchange 2 October to respondent lawyers n courts - do I write to respondent lawyers n ask when they want to exchange the form E and also confirm that as the only lawyer involved it falls upon them to submit the bundle to the court? ( if this is the case do I just need to send the solicitor my form E on the agreed date and then they make the submission to the court?)
also as the victim of domestic abuse during the marriage I really don’t want to appear even virtually in any hearing where he will see me or I can see/ hear him - I have a friend willing to do so on my behalf- is this possible?
TIA

You agree a date for exchange which could be by post or email. The filing of the Form E in Court needs to be done by each party independently so you should attend to that yourself in accordance with the existing order.

The Court bundle may well enclose the Form E but that is so that the judge doesn't have to refer to the Court file at the hearing - s/he can just look at the bundle which will contain all of the relevant documents.

It is possible to have a McKenzie friend at the hearing with you but their powers are limited. Have you considered obtaining legal aid as you should be eligible given the history of domestic violence?

Charles

Thank you Charles
I do qualify for legal aid and have tried to speak with a couple of lawyers however it seems they have no capacity to accept me
Thanks 🙏