The D81 and what happens if you skip it

What the D81 is

The D81 (Statement of Information for a Consent Order in Financial Remedy Proceedings) is a short court form that sets out a summary of both parties' financial positions — income, property, savings, pensions, and any other significant assets or debts — at the point you're asking the court to approve your financial agreement.

When it's needed

You must file a D81 alongside any consent order (a Form A/D11 application asking the court to make an agreed financial order). Without it, the application is incomplete and will be rejected or returned.

Why the court checks fairness

The court cannot simply rubber-stamp whatever a couple agrees. Before approving a consent order, a judge checks it is a fair outcome for both parties (and any children). The D81 gives the judge enough financial context to make that fairness check — without it, they can't see whether one side is being badly short-changed.

What happens if you file without it

The court office or a judge will typically:

• Return or reject the application, delaying everything by weeks
• Ask you to complete and file the D81 (or supplementary information) before the order can be considered
• Refuse to make the consent order until the financial information is provided

In practice, missing or inadequate D81 information is one of the most common reasons consent orders are sent back, so complete it carefully and submit it with your application.

General information only, not legal advice.