Incident Diary Examples for UK Family Court
How to log incidents for UK family court: concise examples with dates, tags, attachments, and impact notes.
Informational only. For legal advice about your case, speak to a solicitor. In emergencies, call 999.
Anatomy of a solid entry
- Date/time & location
- What happened (2–4 sentences, factual)
- Tags (missed handover, boundary breach, coercive control cue)
- Attachments (screenshots, photos, docs)
- Impact (child impact, schedule disruption, safety concern)
Example 1: Missed handover
- When/where: 12 Jan 2025, 17:30, school gate.
- What: Co-parent arrived 25 mins late. No notice. Child waited with staff; was upset.
- Tag: missed handover.
- Attachment: Photo of sign-out sheet.
- Impact: Child anxious; bedtime delayed.
Example 2: Boundary breach (messaging)
- When: 18 Jan 2025, 22:45.
- What: Received 5 messages after agreed 9pm cut-off. Content: accusations about schedule.
- Tag: boundary breach; escalation risk.
- Attachment: Screenshots (redacted for children’s names).
- Impact: Disturbed sleep; noted for pattern tracking.
Example 3: Possible coercive control cue
- When: 20 Jan 2025, 08:10.
- What: Message: “If you tell your solicitor anything, I’ll make sure you regret it.” No specifics.
- Tag: coercive control cue; threat.
- Attachment: Screenshot.
- Impact: Logged for solicitor; considering safety plan review.
Tips
- Keep it brief and factual; avoid speculation.
- Add attachments when safe; redact children’s personal info.
- Use consistent tags so patterns appear in timelines.
- Log impact on children where relevant.
FAQ
Do I need to log everything? Focus on relevant incidents, patterns, and order breaches.
Should I include feelings? Keep entries factual; note observable impact (e.g., “child was tearful”).
Will this be seen by the other party? Treat entries as potentially disclosable; keep tone neutral.
Emergencies? Call 999. Do not rely on logs for urgent safety.
Next step: See how entries roll into timelines and bundle previews in the public explainer at /evidence-locker-uk.
Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace legal advice, risk assessments, or emergency services.
In an emergency, always call 999. For ongoing support, you can access our support directory for domestic abuse services or mental health support.
Copari does not replace legal advice or emergency services. This information is provided for general guidance only.
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