If you are sorting out finances after divorce or separation, two forms often cause confusion: Form A and Form E. They are linked, but they do different jobs. In England and Wales, Form A is used to start a request for a financial order in divorce or civil partnership proceedings, while Form E is the financial statement used for disclosure in those proceedings. GOV.UK describes Form A as the form to start a request for a financial order, and the official Form E notes say it should be completed where an application for a financial order has been made in England and Wales.
For many people, the hardest part is not the paperwork itself. It is understanding where these forms fit into the wider financial remedy process, when mediation may come first, and what happens if agreement is not possible. This guide explains the role of Form A, Form E, and the court-led process for resolving money and property issues in England and Wales.
What is Form A?
Form A is the form used to begin an application for a financial order. GOV.UK says it is used to start a request for a financial order in proceedings for divorce or ending a civil partnership. The current Form A also states that, before making an application for a financial order, you must first attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) unless an exemption applies.
In practical terms, Form A is often the point where a financial dispute becomes a formal court process. People usually consider this route when:
- they cannot reach agreement about money or property
- disclosure is incomplete or disputed
- there are concerns about delay, non-cooperation, or hidden assets
- mediation is unsuitable or has not resolved the issues
A financial order can cover matters such as property, lump sums, maintenance, and pensions, depending on the case. Part 9 of the Family Procedure Rules governs applications for a financial remedy in England and Wales.
What is Form E?
Form E is the financial statement used in financial order cases. The official form says it should only be completed in applications for a financial order in divorce, dissolution, annulment, or separation proceedings in England and Wales, or in certain overseas-relief cases. The accompanying notes also explain that you should only complete Form E if you or your spouse or civil partner has made an application for a financial order.
Form E is about financial disclosure. It is designed to give the court, and the other person, a detailed picture of your financial circumstances. That commonly includes:
- income
- bank accounts and savings
- property
- debts and liabilities
- pensions
- investments
- business interests
- future financial needs
The official Form E notes state that each person must give “full, frank and clear disclosure” of all relevant financial circumstances. They also warn that if full and accurate disclosure is not given, a court order may later be set aside.
What is the difference between Form A and Form E?
The simplest way to understand the difference is this:
- Form A starts the court application
- Form E provides the financial disclosure within that process
So, if you are asking the court to deal with finances, Form A is the form that opens the case. Form E is then used to set out the financial information the court needs to understand the dispute. That structure is reflected in GOV.UK’s Form A guidance and in the official Form E notes.
Do you need a MIAM before Form A?
Usually, yes. The current Form A says that before making an application for a financial order you must first attend a MIAM, where an authorised family mediator will consider whether mediation or another form of non-court dispute resolution may be more appropriate, unless an exemption applies.
That does not mean mediation is right for every case. Sometimes mediation can help people discuss finances constructively. In other cases, especially where there is serious non-disclosure, coercive control, safeguarding concerns, urgency, or another valid exemption, a court route may be more appropriate. The key point is that the MIAM requirement and the possibility of exemptions sit at the start of the process.
When are Form A and Form E usually used?
Form A and Form E are usually relevant when finances cannot be resolved informally or through mediation alone. That may include cases involving:
- disagreement about the family home
- disputes about savings or debts
- pension issues
- maintenance claims
- concerns about business interests
- suspected hidden assets
- failure to provide proper disclosure
Part 9 of the Family Procedure Rules applies to applications for a financial remedy, and Practice Direction 9A supplements that procedure.
What happens after Form A is filed?
Once a financial remedy application is underway, the court process usually moves into structured disclosure and appointments under Part 9. While the exact route can vary by case type, the overall purpose is to move the matter through disclosure, negotiation, and, if possible, settlement. Part 9 also defines the Financial Dispute Resolution appointment (FDR), which is a settlement-focused stage within the process.
This is one reason why Form E matters so much. Without proper financial disclosure, meaningful negotiation is difficult. Where disclosure is incomplete or inconsistent, the process can become slower, more expensive, and more stressful.
What if your ex will not provide proper disclosure?
This is one of the most common concerns in financial cases. A person may engage in discussions at first but still avoid full disclosure. For example, they may:
- delay producing bank statements
- minimise income
- omit investments
- fail to explain transfers
- leave out cryptocurrency or overseas assets
The official Form E notes make clear that full and accurate disclosure is required, and that a failure to provide it can have serious consequences for any resulting order.
Mediation can sometimes help identify gaps in information, but a mediator does not act as a judge or investigator. If one person will not disclose properly, a formal court process may be needed so the case can proceed within the financial remedy framework.
Can mediation still help before or alongside this process?
Sometimes, yes. The Form A guidance itself highlights the role of the MIAM and non-court dispute resolution before an application is made. For some couples, mediation may help narrow issues, improve communication, and support discussions about finances.
However, mediation has limits. It usually works best where both people are willing to engage honestly and provide a reliable picture of their finances. If there are serious concerns about hidden assets, intimidation, or refusal to disclose, mediation may not be enough on its own.
What does the court mean by “financial remedy”?
Under Part 9 of the Family Procedure Rules, the process is described as an application for a financial remedy. That term covers a range of financial orders the court can make in family proceedings. The official rules govern how those applications proceed, including disclosure and court appointments.
For readers, the important point is that Form A and Form E are not random paperwork. They sit inside a formal system designed to deal with finances when agreement has not yet been reached.
Is this the same as a consent order?
Not exactly. A consent order usually relates to an agreement that has already been reached and is then sent to the court for approval. By contrast, Form A and Form E sit more naturally in the court-application and disclosure side of the process, where finances are disputed, unresolved, or still being worked through. GOV.UK separates Form A guidance from the consent-order materials, which is one reason these topics are better treated as different content clusters.
A practical next step
If you are trying to understand Form A and Form E in England and Wales, the first question is usually whether finances can still be resolved through discussion or mediation, or whether a formal financial remedy application is becoming necessary. Where agreement is not possible, or where disclosure is a problem, legal advice may be important.
A MIAM may still be the first step unless an exemption applies. From there, the question is whether mediation is realistic, or whether the matter is likely to move into the court-led process involving Form A, Form E, and wider financial disclosure.
This content is for general information only and is not legal advice.
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