Self rep in child court?

spyder wrote:

Thanks for the replies.

He sent an email with his request for monthly weekend visits together with all school holidays. I replied saying split the holidays half and half and that monthly contact will not work due to distance, but he could travel and see the kids without any problem. He did not reply but took my email to a solicitor who has acknowledged that I am not denying contact at all. He will not speak on the phone with me and has now stopped the email contact.

I presumed that whoever starts court proceedings gets it heard where they reside, so that I would have to travel. I was not saying I would not go, but it may well turn out that I couldn't afford the travelling expenses.

the case will be heard in the nearest court to the rsident parent (you).

LIP is easy. he's in for a shock if he thinks he's gonna storm into court and get all the hols and staying contact. i aint got that and i've been 3 times and i only live a mile away from my littlun!!

i shouldn't worry about a legal aid solicitor. they're useless (polite here!!) the one i had hadn't even heard of gillick competency.

to qualify for legal aid he will have to attend mediation anyway or they'll revoke his certificate, so a lot of it could get sorted without court.

Balders is bang on,
Lip would be easy in this case and things could easily be sorted outside the courtroom by mediation.
I think you will get exactly what you are proposing.

hi there
we have self repped in court alot due to finances and have always found the court officials and the otherside solicitor helpful and courteous. Sites like this have been invaluable. The family court officials and the legal advisor we have found will answer questions and are a good starting point.
Some soliciors do a free hour session that may give you a starting point on what is acceptable for contact.
You should be being seen to facilitate contact and encourage a good relationship with their father, but these contact arrangements surely should be acheivable and not unrealistic.
best of luck

howdy stranger.

long time, no speak. hope all is well for you.

balders