There has been widespread coverage about a problem with the Government’s website, in the main form used in financial cases. This is called Form E. It asks you to list the assets, and then the liabilities, and then automatically calculates the total. But it does not actually deduct the liabilities so the total has been wrongly recorded. The new form was only introduced in April 2014.

An HMCTS spokesperson said: “We are urgently investigating this issue. Officials are taking steps to identify rapidly cases where this regrettable error may have had an impact, and we will be writing to anyone affected as soon as possible. Anyone concerned about their own court proceedings should contactformE@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk.”

Please rest assured – the expert team of family lawyers at Hunters do not use this form. We use bespoke software that does not make this error. If you think your financial settlement might be affected by this problem do contact us.

Family Law Department, Hunters