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Has anyone got experience in representing themselves in a final hearing? Up until now I've acted alone with advice from a barrister. She can't represent me as she already has a hearing on those days. I don't really have the funds due to change of jobs but considered taking a loan out?
Advice from both experiences would be helpful?
Cafcass is only witness on order for hearing.
How is the format different from a normal hearing?
I don't have direct experience but there is a very useful guide for representing yourself on the AdviceNow website. You've done it before so know a bit about it. Keep calm, wait until it is your turn to speak, don't interrupt, take notes so you can query anything said you don't agree with. You might consider taking a McKenzie friend with you to help with the note taking. Do you agree with the Cafcass report? You might try to build in extended contact to the order if, for instance, it starts with supervised access. You could ask that after three months its unsupervised, then progresses to overnight stays, three months after that.
hi,
what have Cafcass recommended for child contact? I self-represented last year. If it's going to be a telephone/video hearing than should be less stressful for you. my 2nd hearing (DRA) got converted into a final hearing surprisingly. I had a barrister on standby and was expecting them to represent me at 3rd/final hearing.
Thanks for replies.
My original section 7 recommended Friday from school till Monday to school every other weekend and every other Wednesday from school till Thursday to school, share holiday and alternate xmas etc. Waiting for the addendum report next week to see if much has changed.
I can use my barrister for day 1 of hearing but not for day 2, would you do this or avoid it? I'm not convinced it'll be 2 days when we only have Cafcass as witness. I'm assuming if there was an additional witness I would no by now? None in the order.
Looks like it's going to be face to face as well. Just Cafcass that have requested to go via video.
What contact you hoping to get?
Hoping my addendum report offers same recommendations as my original section 7 which is Friday from school till Monday to school every other weekend and every other Wednesday from school till Thursday to school, share holiday and alternate xmas etc. Waiting for the addendum report next week to see if much has changed.
If addendum report offers the same then this is highly likely what your final order will be. There would be a section 7 and a addendum report offering/advising same contact.
@warwickshire1 do you recommend a barrister or could I do this myself?
Could you use a barrister for only day 1 of hearing? Would courts allow it?
yes thats perfectly fine. If you want to hire a barrister I suggest searching on the direct access portal: https://www.directaccessportal.co.uk/search/1/barrister
if the Cafcass recommendations are how you stated, you should have a fairly easy time in court. Tell court you accept all the recommendations if your happy with it. Your ex may not be happy with it and try get to you negotiate for something less than what's recommended.
@bill337 thanks Bill, I can get a barrister for the first day of a two day hearing for £1000 but she's in another hearing for my second day. What do I tell the courts about the second day,? They will still allow to go ahead the second day without that barrister won't they? Do I have to let the courts know or can I just rock up to court with a barrister?
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