COACHING

Representing yourself, is it a good idea?

Many people want to represent themselves for a number of good reasons, cost usually leaving them no choice in the matter, but there is also a desire to prove their case themselves, to have their day in court, or they simply cannot justify the exorbitant costs that Solicitors charge for help.. There is nothing wrong in representing yourself, thousands of people do it every day, but it needs to be targeted to work well. You wouldnt try to fix your car with no knowledge and even an IKEA cabinet comes with instructions to explain what each part does.

What is included?

This Coaching will hold your hand through the full process from making your application through to the end of the first hearing. The court will want certain information so that they can make decisions about your children.

many people take a wrong approach and insist on explaining everything in their own way which is not what the court needs. With over 20 years of experience, I will guide you to what is important at each step.

The key to making progress in court is to give the Judge what he needs at any specific time. The courts are full of allegations and two totsally opposing views of what is best for the children and they ahve to try to find a route through the arguments to find a solution that is best for the children.

We will have a video conference to discuss your situation and the concerns that you may have. You will then be provided with a calendar and checklist for the steps required.

Challenging CAFCASS or your ex,

it is a similar process.

The purpose of a Final Hearing is so that the Judge can hear two sides of the story and then make a decision to cut though the arguments. You might want the opposite to your ex, you might not like what CAFCASS has recommended, but the process is the same. You need to argue your case and make the Judge aware of why your proposals make more sense. This is done through Statements, Evidence and Cross Examination in a Final Hearing. Only then can a Judge, having given you your 'Right to a fair trial' be in a position to make a decision that resolves your case.

We will have a conference to discuss putting the right steps in place to deal with the important points raised against you. You will prepare when you can and then we will meet again to discuss what you have prepared. Between us we will fine-tune it until it all works for you.

The Hearing

The Final Hearing is not recommended that you do alone, or without guidance. The process does not make a lot of sense to the uninitiated and requires a depth of knowledge that you are unlikely to possess. The Final Hearing is your opportunity to fight for what you believe to be right and in the best interests of the children.