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Hi all
I am separated from the mother of my son who I was not married to, for various reasons I am not named on the birth certificate - paternity is not questioned - no contact arrangements have ever been put in writing and I'm aware this whole present position gives me no legal rights regarding my son.
Without going in to all the details the amount of contact she facilitates is patchy at best, as we don't always get along. What doesn't help is the fact I live about 150 miles away so when she has cooperated it's only been for once a month albeit for about 5 or 6 hours.
When things have been cordial between us there have been periods of about 5 or 6 months when she's allowed me to visit, she sent me pictures or video clips etc of him every week or so.
Last year things became very difficult for us and I felt forced to take things further. I'd previously sent her a recorded delivery letter pleading for us to come to an arrangement which she didn't reply to so I went to a Mediation service who took on my case (or whatever it is they call it) and they got in touch with her local mediators and made an appointment for her. However before her meeting took place we agreed to deal with this amicably so I subsequently contacted the Mediators to cancel the service.
Things have now regressed and I'm left with the only option of needing to take further action to ensure contact with my son. I'm aware a court will want to see mediation has been attempted - although we agreed to work together before she had her appointment would that qualify me as being able to now approach a court? Or will I need to go back to mediation first for her to either officially try or refuse their intervention?
I am separated from the mother of my son who I was not married to, for various reasons I am not named on the birth certificate - paternity is not questioned - no contact arrangements have ever been put in writing and I'm aware this whole present position gives me no legal rights regarding my son.
Without going in to all the details the amount of contact she facilitates is patchy at best, as we don't always get along. What doesn't help is the fact I live about 150 miles away so when she has cooperated it's only been for once a month albeit for about 5 or 6 hours.
When things have been cordial between us there have been periods of about 5 or 6 months when she's allowed me to visit, she sent me pictures or video clips etc of him every week or so.
Last year things became very difficult for us and I felt forced to take things further. I'd previously sent her a recorded delivery letter pleading for us to come to an arrangement which she didn't reply to so I went to a Mediation service who took on my case (or whatever it is they call it) and they got in touch with her local mediators and made an appointment for her. However before her meeting took place we agreed to deal with this amicably so I subsequently contacted the Mediators to cancel the service.
Things have now regressed and I'm left with the only option of needing to take further action to ensure contact with my son. I'm aware a court will want to see mediation has been attempted - although we agreed to work together before she had her appointment would that qualify me as being able to now approach a court? Or will I need to go back to mediation first for her to either officially try or refuse their intervention?
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