Barrister or not?

@antdad barrister is not a must. You can self-represent. if your going to go to court in person, the reception will ask you to sign into a paper, and you can write name of barrister if represented, or just leave blank if self-representing. If your case is straightforward you could self-represent. I did last year. mostly read from my position statement and some other statements i wrote down before hand.

@bill337 ah ok, I'm more worried about talking and cross examining my ex, not the most confident.

So could I sign in with a barrister on day 1 and then without in day 2 and courts wouldn't mind? Day 1 would be most intense day with cross examination etc.

yep thats fine. When I used a barrister he would draw up a contract for fixed fee, for 1 day hearing, including admin work/legal advice. direct access barristers can be flexible like that. hire on pay as you go basis.

@bill337 yeah that could work really well that way. Unsure what will happen on second day of hearing but the cross examination should be over on the first day. Just might mean that her barrister has to write up the court order on the second day.

I've had a email from the courts asking us if we agree for the courts to hold in way of remote due to Covid as case seems acceptable to do so.

My understanding is that we both have to agree for this to happen? This is fine for me but what is she disagrees? Says about adjournment and other stuff.

Also says "parties shall also file details of their revised availability to attend an adjourned 2-day final hearing for the 6 months following the
date the final hearing is currently listed."

What does this mean? I don't really understand order if I'm honest.

Also the subject of the email has "RED FLAG" put on the end which I haven't seen before, does anyone have any idea what this means?

RED FLAG is to highlight the importance of the email so its not overlooked.  They need your availability in case more time is needed or the case is adjourned.  You just need to state the days you're not available, assuming this will be fewer than the days you are.  It will be for the 6 months after the date of the final hearing.  Are you having contact at the moment?  

@champagne yeah I'm having contact atm, interim order every other weekend. What will happen if she disagrees to video hearing and I agree? Judge will then decide I assume? 

Says we have to include anyone attending, solicitor or witnesses. Court order only specifically said Cafcass was a witness. Surely she can't suddenly say she's bringing further witnesses without notifying first? Allegations were thrown out ages ago now.

@antdad2 days seems quite long for a hearing so presumably she's objecting to the recommendation?  As has been stated before, the court is likely to go along with the report/recommendation.  I don't know what will happen is she doesn't agree to a video hearing, sorry.  I guess if she can string it out so you don't get any extra contact, she will.

@champagne yeah she was against recommendations so pushed for a long interim and an addendum report. 

Hoping that this hearing isn't going to get delayed. Been waiting since October...