[Solved] Instructing a barrister for my final hearing/ direct access barristers

hi,

i used direct access barrister in past year. was paying £900 per hearing. was good. did all preparation. drafting orders. i think so many have bumped up prices due to covid.

Thanks- is that including VAT?

Still a bit much for one hearing! What if it’s not the final one

My case was 15 years ago - my barrister (not direct access then) cost a flat fee of £2,500 for half a day, and I think we used him 3 times. 😮

Thanks- is that including VAT?

Still a bit much for one hearing! What if it’s not the final one

yep it was 900 inc vat. there's others that charge premiums for final hearings. annoying.

I think what is important to look at before you decide to engage a barrister or not is what you are seeking contact wise with child/children and what cafcass recommend contact wise. If s7 report is in your favor for example then you would be best off representing yourself. If its complicated and s7 report isnt to your satisfactation and you been bullied by ex solicitor and theres say games going on to frustrate you then i would instruct a solicitor or a barrister for final hearing.
If you wrote a brief summary what is happening and maybe what has been recommended then people on forum might be able to suggest what best way forward is

Hey Rhyss,

If you dont mind me asking, how many hearings did you have all together and how did they go?

Hi all,

I would class my case a complicated and s.7 not in my favour.

I have not had a single hearing yet! I applied end of May.... I got a letter from Court end of June saying we will see if this is suitable for a telephone hearing after Cafcass has done checks. Called Court and was advised hearing date was mid-August but letter said otherwise. August date never went ahead. Cafcass checks done in August and advised a s7. Called Court and they said hearing date given before would just be more of a directions thing where no parties attend. calling court a lot but I do not have an update yet!

I assume now I have to wait 12 weeks before even my first hearing!

Meanwhile I have been dealing with non-mol. I think that side of things is going okay as I have plenty of evidence to prove ex is lying. However, next hearing is before a legal advisor and not a judge, so no power. Hoping ex will agree to an undertaking and we can avoid final hearing? Less drama for her plus as I have a lot of evidence, hoping she will agree to that.

Interim contact denied and Cafcass not supporting it until s7 done. No updates on when s7/next (first!) hearing will be but I am calling court a lot.

I know the first/next c100 hearing will not be the final- I guess it will be DRA? or even fact finding?

I will see how those go and maybe instruct someone later on.... such a long process it's a joke.... applied in May and not even one hearing haha

due to all the complications you are facing i would probably represent and if any issues there are lots of members on here that would be able to help you. Where everything uncertain including hearing dates it could cost you easily over a £1000 upwards. You can always consider representation further down line preferably in a family court room than on a phone call

@bill337 Hi, are you able to please share your barristers details? I am looking for help for my final hearing. Thank you

@wiseowl Hi. I found him on the direct access portal. his contact and profile is here https://www.directaccessportal.co.uk/member/3264/Mark-Smith

it may be good idea to browse around and see if you can find one for cheaper cost, with similar family law experience.