Can they expect me to travel 200 miles to a court

[ZaraBrown]

Hi
my ex partner has decided he would like to apply for full custody of our daughter. He has been having her for a few days a month for the past two years but has now decided he would like full custody.

He lives in Liverpool and I live in Bristol. I have received a notification from his solicitor about the court hearing which will be in his town on the 16th of August. Due to this, I have been unable to find a solicitor who is willing to travel down to Liverpool with me for the court case. I am unable to travel to Liverpool to have a face to face meeting with a solicitor located there due to childcare issues and lack of funds to make that journey which would include staying in a hotel. I do not feel comfortable talking with a solicitor over the phone, I feel more comfortable with a face to face meeting.

I have asked the solicitor if they are able to change the court to a court at a half way point between our two towns, is this likely to be granted? I really do not wish to enter in to this with out legal representation. My ex partner has a lot more money than me and has organised a very capable solicitor and I don’t think it is fair on my case to go in there without one myself.

[jaguarsuk]

Hi
my ex partner has decided he would like to apply for full custody of our daughter. He has been having her for a few days a month for the past two years but has now decided he would like full custody.

He lives in Liverpool and I live in Bristol. I have received a notification from his solicitor about the court hearing which will be in his town on the 16th of August. Due to this, I have been unable to find a solicitor who is willing to travel down to Liverpool with me for the court case. I am unable to travel to Liverpool to have a face to face meeting with a solicitor located there due to childcare issues and lack of funds to make that journey which would include staying in a hotel. I do not feel comfortable talking with a solicitor over the phone, I feel more comfortable with a face to face meeting.

I have asked the solicitor if they are able to change the court to a court at a half way point between our two towns, is this likely to be granted? I really do not wish to enter in to this with out legal representation. My ex partner has a lot more money than me and has organised a very capable solicitor and I don’t think it is fair on my case to go in there without one myself.

It's unlikely the venue will be changed and perhaps the answer is to Skype with a local solicitor as opposed to a telephone call with them?

[SandraF]

Hi Zarabrown, if the child lives with you, your solicitors should request that the case is transferred to the local court where the child lives. I am not really certain as to why your ex partner has applied to the court for child arrangements order that "the child should live with him" and how much time the child should spend with you. I notice that the hearing was yesterday. What was the outcome? keep us updated

[SandraF]

Hi Zarabrown, if the child lives with you, your solicitors should request that the case is transferred to the local court where the child lives. I am not really certain as to why your ex partner has applied to the court for child arrangements order that "the child should live with him" and how much time the child should spend with you. I notice that the hearing was yesterday. What was the outcome? keep us updated

Although I am a family lawyer,, any advice given on this forum should be taken as guidance only and should not be applied to your specific circumstances. If you are uncertain as to your legal rights, I recommend that you seek independent legal advice from a lawyer local to you.