Advice needed on false allegations and access to child

[Fellowshipper]

This is probably the exact thread I'm looking for at the moment. So it would appear in the majority of cases FF's are discouraged by mother's legal aid advisers, in favour of the weight of an S7 in which then all the same crap with an FF still applies? Is this what the idea really is i.e. just another delaying tactic?

Is it usually after the S7 when the barrister becomes needed?

 

[MagicJ]

This is probably the exact thread I'm looking for at the moment. So it would appear in the majority of cases FF's are discouraged by mother's legal aid advisers, in favour of the weight of an S7 in which then all the same crap with an FF still applies? Is this what the idea really is i.e. just another delaying tactic?

Is it usually after the S7 when the barrister becomes needed?

You need a Barrister ideally at every hearing but as a Minimum at the key places like S7, Fact Find etc

 

[Fellowshipper]

You need a Barrister ideally at every hearing but as a Minimum at the key places like S7, Fact Find etc

Can't afford it up until now. I could get funding for the next hearing when the S7 is already submitted, but I need to understand what this so-called direct access barrister is that people are referring to here and from what I see it is a reasonable price too?

 

[MagicJ]

Barristers are aligned to Chambers, like Solicitors are aligned to Firms.

A barrister is usually accessed via a Solicitor because of the way Barristers need to be instructed, a normal or lay person doesn't usually know how to interact.

A DAB is basically Barristers who cut out the Solicitor and allow Lay people to instruct them directly.

This reduces costs by removing all the unnecessary Solicitors interaction and engagement.

It's like talking directly to a Consultant and not bothering with the GP

 

[Fellowshipper]

Barristers are aligned to Chambers, like Solicitors are aligned to Firms.

A barrister is usually accessed via a Solicitor because of the way Barristers need to be instructed, a normal or lay person doesn't usually know how to interact.

A DAB is basically Barristers who cut out the Solicitor and allow Lay people to instruct them directly.

This reduces costs by removing all the unnecessary Solicitors interaction and engagement.

It's like talking directly to a Consultant and not bothering with the GP

Thanks. So what are the usual fees for DABs?

 

[Ash]

It varies. They can be very high some of them! Average you'd expect to pay about £2,500 plus Vat for a half day hearing and 4 to 5k plus Vat for a full day hearing. Which sounds a lot. But bear in mind I wasted about 9k on solicitors who did nothing, and spent 4k on a barrister who was worth every penny.

 

[Fellowshipper]

It varies. They can be very high some of them! Average you'd expect to pay about £2,500 plus Vat for a half day hearing and 4 to 5k plus Vat for a full day hearing. Which sounds a lot. But bear in mind I wasted about 9k on solicitors who did nothing, and spent 4k on a barrister who was worth every penny.

Still too steep for me I'm afraid. In my case, neither my CAFCASS letter nor the anticipated S7 report (for which I still have to collaborate with the social worker, who at least is friendly with me) will get me worse off than now, with regards to the prevailing CAO proceedings, but what will surely work against me is being financially poor because that directly affects the whole logistical side of things ie travelling, taking adequate time off work, let alone holidays and other important personal things. Basically, the way I see it I have to draft up an entire plan for the judge, to show that shared custody will actually work, or else I'll get shafted with just one weekend a month that is currently on "offer" for me.

 

[Ash]

You could get one for less - but anyone less than £1000 is not going to be very good basically so then it could be waste of £1000. Are you talking about for final hearing? You could maybe get one for 2k to 3k.