Guest viewing is limited
- You have a limited number of page views remaining
- 2 guest views remaining
- Register now to remove this limitation
Ive made a mess of it all
- Thread starter Tom76
- Start date
Ok so that's a kind of fact find then - both parties filing a statement of allegations. So not a statement for a final hearing. Try not to worry too much. A Judge will just see that both parties are making allegations and it will probably be seen as "conflict between parents". The danger with that is that if Cafcass decide it's bad for the kids to be exposed to the conflict, they can just give them to one parent and only indirect contact with the other - worst case scenario. So maybe you can mitigate this somewhat and I believe there is opportunity to withdraw some allegations at the hearing as well (your ex also). Were you able to back any of your allegations up with any evidence?
My feeling is you need a barrister for this next hearing to avoid it turning pear shaped - and have a consultation first. Forget the solicitor for now (unless you can afford to have a solicitor and barrister team). A direct access barrister costs less because you're not paying the solicitor fees as well (and they are much better with the court side of things - solicitors are more the paperwork side of things). Barristers get heard by Judges and can persuade them. Sometimes it comes down to having a better lawyer than hers. Depending on the circumstances.
At the next hearing you need to prepare - to be completely calm, polite, sound child focused, make a good impression, dress smartly etc. Learn how to address the Judge (little things like not addressing the Judge correctly can just annoy them). There's a video in resources section at the top that is really good about preparing for court and showing the right and wrong ways!
Have a look at the video on this link - it's really helpful (and amusing in places) - it's designed for people self repping but even so. Your ex's lawyers will be milking everything for what it's worth and painting you as an abuser. Your barrister can stop them with good arguments and use case law to persuade the Judge - and mitigate things for you.
www.advicenow.org.uk
My feeling is you need a barrister for this next hearing to avoid it turning pear shaped - and have a consultation first. Forget the solicitor for now (unless you can afford to have a solicitor and barrister team). A direct access barrister costs less because you're not paying the solicitor fees as well (and they are much better with the court side of things - solicitors are more the paperwork side of things). Barristers get heard by Judges and can persuade them. Sometimes it comes down to having a better lawyer than hers. Depending on the circumstances.
At the next hearing you need to prepare - to be completely calm, polite, sound child focused, make a good impression, dress smartly etc. Learn how to address the Judge (little things like not addressing the Judge correctly can just annoy them). There's a video in resources section at the top that is really good about preparing for court and showing the right and wrong ways!
Have a look at the video on this link - it's really helpful (and amusing in places) - it's designed for people self repping but even so. Your ex's lawyers will be milking everything for what it's worth and painting you as an abuser. Your barrister can stop them with good arguments and use case law to persuade the Judge - and mitigate things for you.
Representing yourself in family court - film
This short film looks at how to represent yourself in court about a family problem if you do not have a lawyer. It deals with the things you may be worrying about and shows you simple tips that will help you put your side as well as you can.
www.advicenow.org.uk
Thank you and the others helping so much. I wish i found this group before.Ok so that's a kind of fact find then - both parties filing a statement of allegations. So not a statement for a final hearing. Try not to worry too much. A Judge will just see that both parties are making allegations and it will probably be seen as "conflict between parents". The danger with that is that if Cafcass decide it's bad for the kids to be exposed to the conflict, they can just give them to one parent and only indirect contact with the other - worst case scenario. So maybe you can mitigate this somewhat and I believe there is opportunity to withdraw some allegations at the hearing as well (your ex also). Were you able to back any of your allegations up with any evidence?
My feeling is you need a barrister for this next hearing to avoid it turning pear shaped - and have a consultation first. Forget the solicitor for now (unless you can afford to have a solicitor and barrister team). A direct access barrister costs less because you're not paying the solicitor fees as well (and they are much better with the court side of things - solicitors are more the paperwork side of things). Barristers get heard by Judges and can persuade them. Sometimes it comes down to having a better lawyer than hers. Depending on the circumstances.
At the next hearing you need to prepare - to be completely calm, polite, sound child focused, make a good impression, dress smartly etc. Learn how to address the Judge (little things like not addressing the Judge correctly can just annoy them). There's a video in resources section at the top that is really good about preparing for court and showing the right and wrong ways!
Have a look at the video on this link - it's really helpful (and amusing in places) - it's designed for people self repping but even so.
Representing yourself in family court - film
This short film looks at how to represent yourself in court about a family problem if you do not have a lawyer. It deals with the things you may be worrying about and shows you simple tips that will help you put your side as well as you can.
No i didnt have any evidence.
Do i just google direct access barristers? Any recommendations please?
Will defintely watch the video and have been making notes from what you all have been saying.
I know Ash is going to message, here’s a good link as well where you can search for particular areas of speciality, location etc & contact them directly for a chat- a fair few will speak to you for free to assess whether they want your case.
I hope this is ok to put up? No specific names, just the site to find them.
Direct Access Portal - for the public
Search for a barrister to instruct directly on the publicly accessible online hub.
www.barcouncil.org.uk
Did you call your solicitor and get back to working with her?
Yes but she is on annual leave.