At the First Appointment the judge decides on the next steps to be taken in the case.  Which questions in the questionnaires need to answered and which need to be amended or struck out?  Is permission needed for the parties to obtain a valuation report on the matrimonial home?   Is permission needed for written statements from any witnesses?  The judge normally directs that the case is to be listed for an FDR appointment.  

Nothing is really decided about the substance of the case – the occasion is a procedural one.  Clients sometimes feel that the First Appointment is a bit of a non-event.