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Help! I am due in the Family court 9am 22/8/16 in Holborn, London? I know it is short notice. Yesterday my solicitor asked for a further £2000 - which could be construed as intimidation - otherwise they wouldn't proceed. I had already paid £1200 as quoted. Anyway now at zero hour I have to represent myself! I would appreciate it if someone with similar experience could come with me, 9am to 10am Monday. It is too short notice for a MacKenzie Friend. The case details being that my abusive wife was called to attend the police station after I presented evidence of her abuse and controlling behavior. The night she was questioned she then left with my child and I was presented with a non molestation order etc! The solicitor quoted £1200 for the entire case and then before the documents were to be submitted asked for a further £2000 despite doing no work other than cutting and pasting a document I prepared! I know it's short notice but if anyone could come that'd be great...
The best thing you could do at this late stage - with the hearing being Monday - is outline the story clearly here so maybe we could help you put together a decent position statement.
I have won numerous hearings before they have even commenced with well thought out position statements.
Only a qualified solicitor can speak on your behalf in court - or a barrister etc. So you are going to have to do the talking anyway.
I'm sure there are plenty here who could help you put together a decent statement in the next few days.
The main thing is to stay calm and stick to the facts.
The non-mol is par for the course.....
I will be popping in and out between now and Sunday although I'm just a dad - like you - I've written my own statements and slowly but surely turned my case from being a no hope of ever seeing my children to having them overnight twice weekly at present.
Others here can help too.
Tell us your story (omitting any personal details of course)
Thanks! I was able to get my statement opposing the non molestation, occupation order and the prohibitive steps to the court in the nick of time - no thanks to the solicitors! It's very long as the wife's statement is 18 pages of rambling, not much to do with why I'm so evil and more of her complaining about the in laws!
I feel confident going to court as the fact she was essentially nicked for controlling behaviour and abuse (I had footage of her hitting me!) then that night she takes my daughter away and later applied for a non mol... I said in my statement to the police when they said they'd caution her that I was afraid she'd do something drastic and here we are...
I have loads of proof of her violence towards me as well as abusive emails etc and video footage of her using calling the police as a control...
Was just hoping that someone who had been in court before could just be there - I am eloquent enough to speak for myself!
I am using a smartphone to reply as she took all the computers!
Had you given us more notice we might have been able to help...wishing you all the best for tomorrow.
There is likely to be a PSU (personal support unit) within the court and they can sometimes provide support in the courtroom....just checked and there is, here's a link
www.thepsu.org/our_network/london/central-family-court/
Thanks. I know it's short notice - I would have had a barrister if I had an additional £2000 to hand...
I've edited my previous post and added a link to the PSU at Holborn.... Hopefully they can help.
Wow thanks that's really helpful!
Hope they can help....let us know how you get on with them....good luck
Perhaps you should consider using a McKenzie Friend, there are a number of good ones based in and around London.....have a think about it.
Yes I spoke to a Mackenzie Friend on the phone - very helpful but unable to muster anyone for the day. Like I said, shortly before the deadline to submit to court I was asked for more money - I should have represented myself from the beginning and I would have had more time at least!
Some solicitors are just out to make money...sorry you had one of those!
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