Representing yourself in court with no solicitor

[PinkFizz]

Has anybody here at ell ever represented themselves in court for any matter,but particularly interested in family matters,and if so what was the outcome,and would you recommed it or not??

[vehelpfulguy]

I divorced (with a solicitor) and a few years later my wife tried to get more money off me (even though she was actually better off than me).

She used a solicitor and I represented myself in a family court (we sat around the table).

I actually did very well out of it and in fact the judge set it so I only had to pay her for a couple more years, even though she expected it to go on for ever.

I think the judge felt some sympathy for me as I was representing myself, but I cannot say everyone would be so lucky as I was.

[PinkFizz]

Interesting.We have paid thousands in the last year to solicitors in trying to get b/f's ex to agree over travelling,access etc all to mo avail - she is the most awkward woman ever.So,we have decided we have nothing to lose and have paid today to apply for a formal contact order,as none is in place as yet,and my b'f nas decided he wants to go himself as he feels that he can express the situation better than a solicitor,who will charge him over �1000 for attanding.

[PinkFizz]

*please excuse spelling in last post!!

[dot.hawkes]

I represented myself at my divorce hearings and my ex husband was paying �100 a month for a solicitor and there was absolutely no need as everything was straightforward. In fact the District Judge did at first think I was my solicitor, don't know why. Anyway, I just talked common sense and addressed the judge as sir and it was fine. I asked for a break when I was getting abit wound up and the judge was fine about that. My ex husband's solicitor was totally clueless about the integral facts and kept making mistakes, which i had to correct, but not until it was my turn to present, i did not want to make it look like i was being intimidating or rude. In the end it was obvious that the solicitor had not realised I would be asking such in depth pertinent questions and he had just gone on appearance and taken me for a dumb bimbo. I had the house transferred into my name totally and a maintenance award made, also i was able to secure an element of my ex's pension for my children's future. It was quite interesting how the solicitor thought that being bombastic and derisory was professional approach.
Good luck
Dotty
xxxx

[Whickerman]

although there's an old saying that the man who represents himself in court has a fool for a client...

[Eve]

Hey :) it really does depend on what the matter is about.

For matters such as a straightforward (in legal terms) divorce it can be great and the courts can be very encouraging and helpful. For more complex matters it really is advisable to use a trained specialist.

A litigant in person is someone who represents themself in court. It's a bit legalspeak but hopefully it'll give you an idea and some places to go for advice.

A CLS link is here...http://www.clsdirect.org.uk/documents/adviceno w_lawyer.pdf

This may also be useful...http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/files/mckenzie_friends_note.pdf

and this...http://www.frg.org.uk/GP/chapter6.asp

and this...http://www.yourrights.org.uk/stcgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=001366

this...http://www.frg.org.uk/GP/contents.asp

and this...http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product//1903909449/ref=cm_aya_asin.title/026-3020537-7610057?ie=UTF8

[Pippa68]

Mr Pippa did it ~ and like Dottys case, the courts thought he was the solicitor at first!

We did it for the same reasons as you, Pink. Thousands had been paid out with not much success..even though our solicitor was fantastic, when you are dealing with an unreasonable person it doesn't matter :o(

Our solicitor recommended that Mr P represented himself...after 4 years of learning the legal side of things through court battles he was (according to the solicitor) ''well qualified''. The outcome would have been the same if we had used a solicitor ~ it was successful in some ways, not in others. Judges & court welfare officers do look most favourably on representations in person. Mr Ps ex wouldn't talk ~ her solicitor said everything which really riled the judge! he ended up shouting at the ex & the solicitor for being unreasonable ;o)

The contact issue went in our favour, the financial issue was not as good as we hoped, but not as good as she hoped either! however we still have contact issues which really aren't worth taking back to court right now...

[Peter Pedant]

as above I found it straightforward
(not family)

[thugulike]

I also represented myself at maintenance hearings. If you are fairly confident and can speak clearly then I would recommend it. You are able to hear what is said and think on your feet and respond without having to go through a third party. Whoever is hearing your case will make allowances if you are unrepresented.