[Solved] Advice needed urgently.

I got my letter!

I'll take it back to the judge on Tuesday.

My ex has threatened that, if I turn up to try to collect her, then she'll have the police waiting to arrest me.
My plan is to phone her, tell her that I'm coming so she'd better have her bags packed and wait for her to threaten me with the police again.
I'd love to see her face when I present the police with my court order.

That's great news...I didn't see there being a problem getting confirmation.

Just be careful and make sure you are above reproach when you attend to collect your daughter. Let her be the one to act unreasonably.

Best of luck with this and don't forget to let us know that your daughter is safely home.

I saw the judge today. He's awarded in my favour and I will be collecting my daughter tomorrow and serve my ex with the order at the same time.
he's also listed a hearing for this Friday, 8th August at 10am but I'm unsure what that's for. I'm assuming so that the order can be formalised in her presence and give her the chance to counter it.
Going off the judge's reaction today, as things stand, there's nothing she can say to change the decision.

It amuses me to think of her doing a 2.5hr drive to get to court for 9.30 in the morning.

That's great news for you and your daughter. Wishing you all the best for tomorrow and for Friday 🙂

Thank goodness! We appreciate you keeping us updated like this ...it has been difficult for you.

It's going to be a very trying day tomorrow and I do hope your daughter doesn't get too distressed. It might be a good idea to speak to the police beforehand and ask them to accompany you, it might help to diffuse the situation.

Best of lucky with it all.

A bit delayed but I had a bit on yesterday.

I arrived to collect my daughter and served my court order to her mother. As expected, she started being a d**k - insisting on reading every page of the pile of paperwork that I handed her - during which time, she then decided to give my daughter some lunch (despite the fact that, because of traffic, I arrived an hour later than I had told her I was coming and she should have given her some lunch prior to that time).
Then she started making phone calls and arguing that the court order says she had to return her to me within 6 hours of being served.
I phoned the police who told me that they couldn't intervene unless there was a breach of the peace or it went over the 6 hour time frame.

Next thing I know social services turn up - she's been on the phone to them and made all sorts of allegations that I hit my daughter etc.
She goes into my exes house to speak to my daughter who reels off a long list of allegations.
The social worker comes out and asks me to go with her to her office to discuss these allegations.

In her office, she reads me this statement all of which I fully deny and even show her the text message from my ex threatening to do this very thing lol.
She confides to me that she didn't think there was anything to it as my daughter listed things like she had been coached rather than go into detail like there was any truth to it but, obviously because it's her job, she had to address the issue.
Meeting over, I go to collect my daughter.
When I get there, she's crying because, in the meantime, her mum's told her that I'm nasty and plan to never let her see her mum again.
After she's said her goodbyes at the car, my ex whispers to me "See what you're doing?!? She's distraught!"
I replied "Yes, because of what you've tried to poison her mind with! 2 minutes down the road and she'll be fine".
Sure enough. less than 2 minutes down the road, my daughter was happy, laughing and discussing whether it's McDonalds or Dominos for dinner.
Since then, she hasn't so much as mentioned her mum.

Distraught. Poor girl.

Anyway, that's the story and my daughter's home, safe and happy.

Got the hearing at Stoke tomorrow for which both my ex and I must attend but, hopefully, this is the end of the story for now until the residency case picks back up again at the end of October.

"Happy Days!" - Well said, Fonzy. Well said.

Happy days Boxbot79, Happy days indeed!!!X

That's good news! I think it was a dead cert that the mother would try and stop you. Thankfully your little girl doesn't seem to be too badly affected by it, but iI would keep an eye on her and give her lots of reassurance.

Hi all, here's an update following my day in court last week.

The judge ruled that my daughter would go back with her mother for the holidays until the date of our next hearing on the 29th of august.
This hearing has been scheduled so as to determine where my daughter will live and go to school in the new term.
the judge will hear evidence from both Darlington and Staffordshire children's services as well from both my ex and myself.
On one hand I feel as though everything's on my side and it will all go my way but, on the other, I'm shi**ing it.
I'm confident that my position statement is accurate and suitably worded and laid out but the big thing that I have to contend with is whatever lies my ex throws at the case.
I also worry about what my ex is filling my daughter's head with while she's up there in preparation for social services speaking to my daughter to ascertain her feelings and wishes on the matter.

You know that social worker that stated it is likely your daughter has been coached. You need to get her notes under the freedom of information act ASAP. If the social worker has also documented her concerns the mum is playing games then it will add significant weight. Good luck

Nice idea. Boycie. However, when she said it, she said "off the record". It was also her that pointed out the convenient timing of these "concerns". Again, this was "off the record" but it's a decent indicator as to what's likely to be in their report to the court next week.
I've many reasons not to be worrying but, especially while my daughter's not here. I can't help but worry.