[Solved] SELF REPRESENTING - FIRST DAY IN COURT

Not yet, going to have a look though. Defo know not to interrupt the judge, seen it happen and they don't look too happy when it does! Scary.....

Don't forget, the purpose of the court is to try to get the best result for children (and parents ideally), they aren't there to try to catch you out - if you are self representing and behave reasonably, they make allowances for the fact that you aren't going to give a polished performance. If you treat the court with courtesy, then you they will do the same to you 🙂

My new and improved guide is up guys 🙂

Mr Slim 🙂

Hi Slim, your inspiration, ive only been at this for 6 weeks fighting for my stepson and can hardly cope, don't no how you do it. you say you've put new guide up, is it this one from 4 months ago. A couple of questions if you don't mind, I got a letter from wife's solicitor today saying she has no intention of going to mediation, I go to initial meeting on Monday, solicitor says I had little interest in my stepson and never wanted him, ive brought him up for 6 years since he was a baby, love him more than anything in my life, he is my life, suppose im going to get allot of lies like that, ive never said one bad word against her and never will, well not in court, when I put application into court how long until first hearing, do I have to present position statement at first hearing, I have one prepared for mediation, do you know if I can apply for Contact and parental Responsibility at the same time, I read a post on here where judge granted contact and PR at same hearing, good look, it looks like your getting there, keep inspiring us, 🙂

I know mate I have no idea how on earth I've coped over the past 9 months with not seeing my Girls it's been absolute torture every single day I don't think you can ever cope with it but you can manage living with it for sure, try not to let it consume you, you have to take care of yourself first and foremost as you're good to no one in a state.

Your situation sounds exactly the same as mine and my Stepdaughter is exactly the same age with my ex saying I've never bothered with her disgusting.

Yeah take your position statement along it won't hurt to have it at all at least it will show you mean business in court I think you have to fill out a C2 for for PR and the rest on the c100 which is all rolled into an "Child Arrangement Order"

You can ask for an Interim contact order at the first hear which means they could grant you some contact whilst the court case is on going. Maybe write to the court before hand requesting it or put it down on the C100.

To be honest it's probs better your Wife won't go to mediation because it will cost you more money and they are another load of rubbish anyway. After you put your application into court its will usually between 4-6 weeks before you get a date for the directions hearing mine was exactly 4 weeks.

Hope this helps

Slim 🙂

Prepare a court bundle - a document which initially has a chronology of events then a bit of an essay about the current situation and what you want to happen i.e. detailing the visitation you would like. Moreover state that you would like to go straight to the final hearing if that is what you want to happen after the initial hearing - state something like "the issues between me and the other parent are narrow and should in no way impact on the visitation with my child. In light of this I would like to go to the final hearing if visitation cannot be agreed". Submit this document at least 24 hours before the court hearing so the judge can read it before you enter the court room.

I have the same issue but the other way around, my sons mother has been taking drugs and was previously violent towards me.. we had a family group conference which then escalated to social services.. I was made aware of her drug use and tried to keep hold of my son while I sought legal advice however she has taken my son from nursery and will now not allow me to see him without written confirmation that I will return him, which I will not do given the evidence I have regarding her drug use.. I have had the directions hearing and now awaiting the next steps but it is killing me not seeing my son, I've been told by social that my only option is to basically wait until court and we don't know when the next hearing will be

Hi there

Drug use doesn't automatically mean that she will lose custody I'm afraid, it would depend on other factors too, like level of drug use, what class of drug, home conditions etc.

Did Social Services give you any indication that they support you having full custody? Is that what you are applying for?

Had you had the directions hearing before you tried to keep hold of him?

Give the court a call and ask when the next hearing will be. Without more information about your case it would be difficult to give you anything but general advice.

Hello

I've just joined this group and feel really encouraged by what I've read and have a couple of questions if anyone has time please?

I'm female and supporting my brother,who left the home he had with his partner. He left with his little girl as mum told him to because she was mentally unstable. She asked for him to build a life with the little girl as it would be better for her. Two months down the line my brother has received court papers and his ex has made some terrible allegations.

My brother doesn't have any money so will really struggle to get any assistant. Is it easy to self represent? Also can he take someone in with him a family member or a friend?

Also do they ever ask the child where they want to live?

Thank you for reading.

Rebekah

Hi there

We've had lots of members that have self represented with much success... it isn't easy, but it's doable and we can do as much as we can to advise and support you both.

If he writes to the court and asks for permission to have a friend with him in court they should be ok with it. This is called having a McKenzie Friend, the person that accompanies him won't be able to speak for him but can at least give moral support and take notes.

As the mother has made allegations, the court will want to investigate thi, usually by ordering a welfare report. Initially CAFCASS would prepare a basic safeguarding report, called a schedule 2 letter, but the court can also ask for a more detailed report called an S7. Sometimes the court will ask for the child's wishes and feelings to be sought and this would be done as part of the S7. Can I ask how old the child is?

It would also be helpful if he prepared a brief position statement to tell the court a little bit more about the background, his concerns and what he would like to happen. Just a couple of pages, I'll look at some further info and a template for you.

There's lots of info in the stickies at the top of the legal eagle section, which you may find useful. Some courts have a Personal Support Unit in the court building that can also offer support. Your brother might also benefit from attending a Families Need Fathers meeting in your area, where he will get face to face advice and support from others in a similar situation. Here's a link to their website where you'll find details of meeting nationally.

www.fnf.org.uk/help-and-support-2/local-branch-meetings

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.

All the best

Here's some info on writing statements, and a template.

www.thecustodyminefield.com/flapp/positionstatements.html

http://media.wix.com/ugd/69743a_6f5457e9a07b43a...ith%20questions.docx

www.thecustodyminefield.com/flapp/statement.html

www.mfjc.co.uk/home/mfjccou1/public_ftp/...ldren-March-2013.pdf

You do need to keep it brief and to the point, I'm sure once you've drafted it, myself or any of the other Moderators would be happy to look over it for you.