[Solved] NMO Order

See what today brings.

As warwickshire has said, the lawyer can only act on their client's instructions. Please try to manage your expectations because if the mother refuses, nobody can make her organise contact without being ordered to do so by the court.

If she does refuse, you can let the court know at the next hearing and hopefully they will put an interim order in place.

Good luck today

Thanks @Yoda,

As much as it is painful, I will be patient and try not to be frustrated by this. Also, I have decided not to chase them and just wait for their call today.

If I have managed for over 2 months already I can defo manage longer. Just thinking of kids and how painful it is for them, especially in these festive period. But if the mom does not think that way, I will leave it to the judge, as I don't think this will make them look good in court, especially after what the judge said.

Many thanks to you all for your wise and honest advice, they are all much appreciated.

Will keep you all updated.

Happy Christmas in advance

sounds as though you did yourself proud

Hello everyone!

Thanks again for all help and supports so far.

Just an update, I have a FHDRA for my child arrangement application. The NMO hearing judge said that she would try combine the cases but there was no update from her and it seems that this FHDRA is going to happen next week (18/02). Also, I have been speaking with kids on video calls weekly since that NMO hearing (thanks to that judge)

Question: In this FHDRA what would be a realistic request for the judge to make an interim order? I mean with all these lockdown restrictions, and the NMO still in place (I am not allowed to go within 100m to my ex). So what would be realistic to ask to judge in order to make a physical meeting with kids happen.

Just a reminder, the NMO judge suggested that there should not be any reason for kids not to meet up with me, but my exs and her solicitor were using excuses like with lockdown and NMO they can only offer a video call.

Any idea would be much appreciated as I will be representing myself there again.

Many thanks in advance,

hi,

you stated that the NMO judge suggested that there should not be any reason for kids not to meet up with you. So I think that could form the basis of your argument for direct contact with the kids. You could ask for direct contact in the interim. Court may feel and decide that their social workers (Cafcass) will have to look into any safeguarding issues before allowing direct contact with kids.

write a 2 page position statement for the hearing. There's good info about doing that here:

https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/writing-a-position-statement/

have a think of what to request. a couple of hours with the kids on a saturday, overnight stay?

Thank you Bill337,

Just so you know, Court ordered CAFCASS to do safeguarding checks. So they did with me. However they could not reach the other party, so I even gave them her solicitor phone number, but guess they could not reach her.

However, I will do that position statement by weekend. Thanks for the link!

Hello everyone!

Thanks again for all help, support, etc.. so far.

I have just been to the FDHRA today. There was unfortunately, no interim order as CAFCASS did not speak to the other party, and there were allegations of DV. They are now transferring the case back to the Crewe Court which is dealing with the NMO I am contesting. Also as per CAFCASS request, the court has order a S7 report before the DRA. It was a bit disappointed that they could not make an interim order, but I am still positive.

Is there anything specific I should start working on before we get the next hearing date, etc?

Many thanks to you all

hi El_Dad,

yes usually can not expect much from 1st hearing. If you had regular contact with kids before going into hearing, then it would stay the same.

have a read about what happens during S7 report process:
https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/parents-and-carers/divorce-and-separation/section-7-report/

What I did before or right after having interview, I sent Cafcass my position statement, with what I was seeking in child's arrangement.

I would also recommend you complete their parenting plan and mention it when they interview you: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/parents-and-carers/divorce-and-separation/parenting-plan/

This is much appreciated, Bill337.

Also, I have the barrister that initially helped me to file the C100 saying that I should have representation for next hearing, etc... Do you reckon it's worth it? I felt I was not given much opportunities and all today as I was self representing myself.

I will have a read through the links, and I will keep you all updated.

Thanks

hi,

its up to you. I self-represented last year. Judges came across as rude and cutting me off when I was talking. Outcome was still same. They ordered Cafcass to do S7 report. barrister can not influence what goes into Cafcass report. Their good if your not a confident speaker or if you can not remain calm. S7 report was good and gave me more contact, so 2nd hearing was very simple. I was ready to hire a barrister for final hearing in case, but it didn't come to that.

I think contesting the non-mol is more serious issue for you. maybe consider using a barrister for that.

Thank you Bill337.

Much appreciated these info and response. Will think about it further while awaiting the paperwork and hearing date.

Many thanks again!

You can find advice about representing yourself in court here: https://www.advicenow.org.uk/advicenow-guides