Request for Financial Disclosure (Form E)

Legal Basis

Family Procedure Rules 2010, r.9.14 (duty of full and frank disclosure); Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, ss.23–25; Form E (financial statement). The court has power to draw adverse inferences from incomplete disclosure (B v B [2013]; Prest v Petrodel [2013] UKSC 34). Failure to comply may result in costs sanctions.

• ✗Requesting disclosure informally without creating a written record
• ✗Not specifying which sections of Form E are incomplete or missing
• ✗Failing to give a reasonable deadline — 14 to 21 days is standard at the pre-proceedings stage
• ✗Not keeping a copy of this letter in case costs sanctions are sought later

Build Your Letter

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]

[DATE OF LETTER]

[OTHER PARTY'S SOLICITOR NAME (OR THEIR ADDRESS IF UNREPRESENTED)]
(Solicitors for [SPOUSE / FORMER SPOUSE'S FULL NAME])

---

Dear [OTHER PARTY'S SOLICITOR NAME (OR THEIR ADDRESS IF UNREPRESENTED)],

**RE: [YOUR FULL NAME] v [SPOUSE / FORMER SPOUSE'S FULL NAME]**
**Case Reference: [COURT CASE REFERENCE NUMBER]**
**FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE — FORM E**

We write to request full and frank financial disclosure from your client, [SPOUSE / FORMER SPOUSE'S FULL NAME], in the Form E format.

**Duty of disclosure**

As you will be aware, both parties in financial remedy proceedings are under a continuing duty to provide full and frank financial disclosure pursuant to the Family Procedure Rules 2010, Rule 9.14. This duty arises at the outset of proceedings and continues throughout. The court will expect both parties to have complied with their disclosure obligations before any financial dispute resolution appointment or final hearing.

**Outstanding disclosure**

Our client requires the following documentation and information from your client, either by way of a completed Form E or by separate disclosure:

1. Copies of the last three months' bank statements for all accounts held in your client's sole name or jointly.
2. Evidence of the current value of all property interests, including the former matrimonial home.
3. The last three years' accounts and tax returns in respect of any self-employment or company interests.
4. Pension cash equivalent transfer values (CETVs) for all pension arrangements, obtained no more than 12 months ago.
5. Evidence of any other assets, liabilities, or financial resources not already disclosed.

**Deadline**

We invite your client to provide the outstanding disclosure within 21 days of the date of this letter, that is by [DEADLINE FOR DISCLOSURE (21 DAYS FROM TODAY)]. If we do not receive the required disclosure by that date, we reserve the right to apply to the court for an order compelling disclosure and to seek costs.

We trust this can be resolved without the need for further court intervention.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Related Rights

• Family Rights

Frequently asked questions

What is Form E and why is it required?

Form E is the standard financial statement used in financial remedy proceedings in England and Wales. It requires parties to provide full and frank disclosure of their financial circumstances. This includes details of bank accounts, property interests, business accounts, pension values, and other assets or liabilities. The court expects both parties to comply with this disclosure duty before attending a financial dispute resolution appointment or final hearing.

When should I send a letter requesting financial disclosure?

You should use a formal letter requesting Form E disclosure when the other party has failed to provide complete or up-to-date information, or before applying for a financial dispute resolution appointment. It is appropriate at the pre-proceedings stage or between court directions. However, if the other party is persistently non-compliant, you should not rely solely on this letter; instead, you may need to make a formal application to the court for disclosure using Form D11.

What specific documents should I ask for in the letter?

The letter should specify exactly which sections of Form E are incomplete or missing. Standard requests include the last three months' bank statements, evidence of property values, three years' accounts for self-employment, and pension cash equivalent transfer values obtained within the last 12 months. You must also set a reasonable deadline, typically 14 to 21 days at the pre-proceedings stage, and keep a copy of the letter for potential costs sanctions.

What happens if the other party ignores my request for disclosure?

Yes, the court has the power to draw adverse inferences from incomplete disclosure, as established in cases such as B v B [2013] and Prest v Petrodel [2013]. Additionally, failure to comply with disclosure duties may result in costs sanctions. The duty of full and frank disclosure is a continuing obligation under the Family Procedure Rules 2010, Rule 9.14, meaning it applies throughout the proceedings.

What should I do if I suspect my ex-partner is hiding assets?

If you suspect the other party is hiding assets, you can consider applying for a freezing injunction. This is a separate legal mechanism from the standard disclosure request. You should not use the informal letter in place of a formal court application if the other side is persistently non-compliant. Consulting a solicitor is advisable to determine the appropriate legal steps for protecting your financial interests in such circumstances.