HI,
Anyone have any experience of instructing a barrister for just the one final hearing plus review of the documents/preparation? It's called direct or public access and you don't go through solicitors.
I am looking at instructing one for my CAO final hearing to give me a fair chance. Ex has legal aid.
I have emailed a few places/sites and collecting fee quotes. So far I have got one for 1000-1750 plus VAT (full day hearing and preparation plus 1 hour phone call) which is too much for me. I saw on here that someone got a quote for 350-500 to represent them in court... anyone know what a reasonable fee quote is?
thanks
Thanks- is that including VAT?
Still a bit much for one hearing! What if it’s not the final one
Thanks- is that including VAT?
Still a bit much for one hearing! What if it’s not the final one
yep it was 900 inc vat. there's others that charge premiums for final hearings. annoying.
I think what is important to look at before you decide to engage a barrister or not is what you are seeking contact wise with child/children and what cafcass recommend contact wise. If s7 report is in your favor for example then you would be best off representing yourself. If its complicated and s7 report isnt to your satisfactation and you been bullied by ex solicitor and theres say games going on to frustrate you then i would instruct a solicitor or a barrister for final hearing.
If you wrote a brief summary what is happening and maybe what has been recommended then people on forum might be able to suggest what best way forward is
Hey Rhyss,
If you dont mind me asking, how many hearings did you have all together and how did they go?
Hi all,
I would class my case a complicated and s.7 not in my favour.
I have not had a single hearing yet! I applied end of May.... I got a letter from Court end of June saying we will see if this is suitable for a telephone hearing after Cafcass has done checks. Called Court and was advised hearing date was mid-August but letter said otherwise. August date never went ahead. Cafcass checks done in August and advised a s7. Called Court and they said hearing date given before would just be more of a directions thing where no parties attend. calling court a lot but I do not have an update yet!
I assume now I have to wait 12 weeks before even my first hearing!
Meanwhile I have been dealing with non-mol. I think that side of things is going okay as I have plenty of evidence to prove ex is lying. However, next hearing is before a legal advisor and not a judge, so no power. Hoping ex will agree to an undertaking and we can avoid final hearing? Less drama for her plus as I have a lot of evidence, hoping she will agree to that.
Interim contact denied and Cafcass not supporting it until s7 done. No updates on when s7/next (first!) hearing will be but I am calling court a lot.
I know the first/next c100 hearing will not be the final- I guess it will be DRA? or even fact finding?
I will see how those go and maybe instruct someone later on.... such a long process it's a joke.... applied in May and not even one hearing haha
due to all the complications you are facing i would probably represent and if any issues there are lots of members on here that would be able to help you. Where everything uncertain including hearing dates it could cost you easily over a £1000 upwards. You can always consider representation further down line preferably in a family court room than on a phone call
@bill337 Hi, are you able to please share your barristers details? I am looking for help for my final hearing. Thank you
@wiseowl Hi. I found him on the direct access portal. his contact and profile is here https://www.directaccessportal.co.uk/member/3264/Mark-Smith
it may be good idea to browse around and see if you can find one for cheaper cost, with similar family law experience.