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Some months ago my wife left. She did it in her usual way, full or drama and seeking all the attention she could get. To be honest I was glad to see the back of her.
The the police then turned up and arrested me and my problems really started.
She had accused me of all sorts of vile things which I wont go into here but after hearing my side the police decided no further action would be taken. I was not bailed, it was just dropped.
I guess she was annoyed by this so she applied for a Non Mol order, she got an interim order and a couple of months ago I went to court to defend myself, she had a barrister paid for by legal aid so I was well out of my depth and certainly outgunned.
However, in the end an undertaking was made (with no admission of guilt or finding of any guilt) that lasts 6 months. We can talk on the phone about the kids but we are not allowed to see each other face to face in person.
Im fine with this as I felt it would at least be a clean break.
Anyway, she has since tried to get me arrested (without success) and has not kept up her agreement to see the kids regularly or pay a penny maintenance.
As a result of her vile accusations when she left, Social services are involved. Im not too fussed about this because since she has left the house has been a much nicer place, the kids are happier, my daughters behavior, grades and attendance at school have improved out of sight. I maintain this is because my ex was a toxic influence on the household and eventually social services will have to agree and they will be gone from out lives.
The problem is, because my ex has let the kids down so often, the social worker wants a meeting at school with the ex, both kids and myself to hammer out an arrangement for when she sees them.
My problem is this, We are still not allowed to see each other face to face and I am worried that i will be breaking the court order thus leaving myself open to the ex playing her games of trying to get me in trouble. The social worker said I am ok to have the meeting but I am not so sure. I dont have a solicitor for this, I cant get legal aid, the only help I can get is from internet fora like this one.
Can anyone please advise me if I should attend this meeting or would it be a clear breach of the undertaking made with the court.
Sorry for droning on, believe me I left a lot out and tried to keep to the basics but any advice would be massively appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
P.S.. I forgot to mention I had a free half hour with a solicitor about the non mol order right at the start, about 6 months or so ago. I had to sign stuff and was told by the solicitor that I was unable to get a further free half hour with them or any other solicitor about the non molestation order.
I did ring them yesterday because i was unsure If this question would fall into a different category as its more a question about the undertaking than the non mol but they confirmed i was not eligible for advice.
Hi if it's at school with a Social Worker present, I don't think a court would consider that a breach of an undertaking.
As you don't have direct legal advice, you can try give Child Law Advice a call on that.
Could he also reach out to the court where the undertaking was given and try to speak to the legal adviser about it ?
I doubt the court would get involved as the case will no longer be live. Better to get something in writing between you and the Social Worker & maybe ask the school or Social Worker to escort you to your car so that you can't be left open to accusation by the mother? Try speaking to Child Law Advice on the number I gave you for clarification.
You could request that you be placed in separate rooms, with the SW going between you. They can do this in Mediation, when one or both parties don't want to sit together; it's called shuttle mediation.
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