The financial remedy D1 — court orders about pensions & third-party implementation

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-28

Note on terminology: in financial remedy proceedings, "D1" can refer to a court form asking

the court to make a particular direction/order about a pension scheme or a third party (for

example, to vary a deed or to require a pension provider or company to take a step), and sits

alongside the more familiar Form E (statement of means) and Form A (the application). The

pages here focus on the pension/trustee cross-reference role D1 plays, which is where most

LiPs encounter it.

What the D1 does

Broadly, the D1 (and its family variants) is the document used when the court needs a third party or trustee to be brought in or ordered to act in support of the financial remedy. The two most common situations for a self-representing spouse are:

1. Pension scheme cross-reference — where a pension sharing/attachment order is proposed, the court needs the scheme's details (scheme ID, type, contract number) and may direct the trustee/provider to value the benefits (CETV) or implement the order. The D1/related form coordinates that cross-reference so the order can be made and served on the provider. 2. Company / third-party documents — where a business or employer holds documents relevant to disclosure (payroll, accounts, share registers), the court can order that third party to produce them, using the cross-reference/form route rather than asking you to chase them personally.

When it's used

A pension sharing order is sought and the scheme/provider details must be captured so the order runs cleanly (see our pension-sharing implementation guide)
A third party (pension scheme, company, bank) must be made a party to part of the case or ordered to provide information/act
The court is asked to vary an order in favour of or against a third party (rare)

How pension scheme details are handled

You will normally need: the scheme name and type (defined benefit/defined contribution, scheme ID / company number), the policy/account number, and the CETV statement
The D1/related application identifies the scheme so the provider can be served with the final order and implement the transfer (the pension credit to you, or debit from them)
Bring exact details: a missing scheme ID is the #1 cause of a pension order that stalls

Avoiding errors

Get the scheme details right — name, type, ID, contract number, correct spelling
Complete the cross-reference section fully; an incomplete D1 gets bounced
If you hold multiple pensions, list each separately
Keep the CETV within its validity — stale valuations cause the provider to re-value and delay implementation

If you're unsure

Professional bodies (Resolution) publish guidance; and a short unbundled solicitor review (see our unbundled-services guide) of your D1 before filing prevents the errors that stall pension orders.

Official links

Pension sharing: https://www.gov.uk/pension-sharing-and-divorce
Family procedure forms & orders: https://www.gov.uk/family-procedure-rules
https://www.gov.uk/money-property-when-relationship-ends

This page is general information, not legal advice. The specific "D1" form you need depends on the exact application; confirm the right form/order with the court office or a professional. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.