[Solved] Self representing in court question

Hi there, I will try and answer as best I can from my experience.

Hello all,
I'm self representing in court, I have a few questions if people can help me out please 😉

1:
Can I cross examine my ex? For example...
Did you stop me having our son because you had a disagreement with me?
Is it in your eyes to stop contact because you think its best for our son?

as i understand they can only answer yes or no to cross examination with no if's or buts?

You can address the judge and the judge will address your ex, I'm not sure if you can cross examine you ex directly this may be possible but I didn't I worked through the judge, and if i'm honest this is probably better as you won't end up argueing with her in the court room.

2:
Now i'm far better at writing than speaking, Am i able to submit to court my side of the story,
For example the diary ive 'half' kept during the messing around?
General things i want to say, As last time I went to court I hardly got to say anything, as her solicitor kind of took over the situation and was focusing on less important other things i felt (suppose thats his job lol )

You can submit this to the judge just ask when you go in if you can approach and give the judge the written document, explain you would like to discuss thhe things on it whilst there and they should help go through it. Take a copy for your ex too though.

3:
How many court appearances have other people had to go though before some thing actually happened?

I had action from the first appearance, there was an interim order placed so that contact re started straight away, I did have pointless visists though where nothing was sorted of really discussed.

4:
Whats the likely hood of getting a equal half share of our son? As we live only 5 miles apart.

This is very hard to answer as there is no hard and fast rule, each judge will look at each case and decide what is best for the child, as each child is different each outcome is different.

Hope this helps.

GTTS

You will need to just present yourself that all you intend to do at the first hearing is that you need to re-establish contact. Make sure you apply for an interim contact order with the C100 - but still think you should seriously consider an emergency one. If you can I have learnt to make sure there is a judge at the first hearing cause clerks cannot do much.

Joe- have you had your first hearing? If not it is unlikely at a first hearing either of you will be in a box. You can take notes.....and in reponse to the last I guess its like kids, no two are the same.....sadly I fear the same applies to the judges.

Good luck

I guess with the interim application there should be a judge. Maybe worth calling the courts on submission. Kenny I really do think you should just crack on with all these applications, C100, C1a, C160 and emergency contact order. I hear what the others say that you should wait for your solicitor. I dont know the full fact and am surprised the courts didnt re-initiate contact but is a solicitor gonna change things? And as I said you can always add their name later. They do not need to sign it if your self -repping and there are enough people here to take you through that process.

with your initial application,did you submit a statement in support of your application? If not, you can write one out (make 3 copies) and attend the court early on the day and go to the court office and ask the staff to attach it to the file. You can also do this with any other documentation you want the judge to see. Do it before you go in- that the way the judge has a chance to look at it before he calls you, and make sure you give a copy to your ex and CAFCASS/SS when you meet before the hearing.

I've also found it really helpful to 'familiarise' myself with the staff in the office. You'll find them much more helpful. 😉