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Posted before but lost my login and can't find the thread. Updated info as well.
In Jan 2019 I went to a final hearing in family court with my friend, for a child arrangements order where I cross-examined her ex. The order was made. In April I went with another friend to family court for the same thing. Her ex didn't show up so an order was made in his absence. The next day we all went back to court (he hadn't been aware of the order and rang court when he found out) and I cross-examined him. The order was kept in place until the next hearing to give him time to prepare and find a solicitor. In March I went again with my friend, and this time his ex had a barrister, who asked what firm I was from. She then asked for my SRA number. I explained I was a mckenzie friend and she said that I needed the court's permission, and because I hadn't had it, the court had assumed I was a solicitor, and therefore I had been impersonating a solicitor which is an offence under the solicitors act 1974 as well as fraud. Since then I have been extremely worried, I had no idea I was doing anything wrong, I have a law degree but nothing else. I was only paid for expenses and helping with paperwork (less than £200). The friends I represented thought I was a solicitor and they still do, because they think having a law degree is all I need, even though I've explained to them. I am now terrified of going to prison. Ive been asking my sister to get me some advice, she is moving to France at the end of this month, so if I go to prison there is nobody that can look after my young kids (their dad died by suicide and I''m estranged from all other family on his side and my side due to abuse). My kids would suffer so much as one has PTSD and the other is very young and Im all they know. I read that the sentence can be 2 years prison. I am so scared. I was only trying to help my friends. I know now it is wrong. It has been 3 months now and nothing has happened, but the last friend I helped is due to have her final hearing soon with a judge and I know I will be mentioned. At her last hearing in May (which I didn't go to) they brought up the fact I wasn't a solicitor and had represented her so far. (She told me this).
Somebody is going to report it surely? If they haven't already like that solicitor said she would.
I am scared I will go to prison. I'd lose my kids, my job, everything. I really need some advice. The court doesnt have my address (unless my friends gave it to them?) but they have my name. I have no previous convictions but I am known to the police for my husband being violent to me when he was alive. Will they come to my work to arrest me? What will I do with my kids when I'm being questioned as I have nobody (unless it's school hours and they're at school).
I have spent hours googling it and there are hardly any reports about people impersonating a solicitor, but there are a few, and they all ended up in prison for between 6 months - 2 years.
I am so scared. It's been 2 years since my husband died, I'm finally rebuilding my life, just started a new job this year in a promising career, my youngest is about to start school, eldest is getting help for her PTSD. It would destroy the kids to lose me as well. Especially the eldest, because we also lost her beloved gran end of the last year, so she is struggling with abandonment issues too (waiting diagnosis).
I literally have nobody who would look after my kids. My family are abusive monsters and I'm estranged from them. My late husband's family are even worse. I have no friends locally, and the friends I do have wouldn't be able to look after my 2 kids.
Please help me - I'm terrified, Ive even had to approach samaritans as I've been feeling that low.
In Jan 2019 I went to a final hearing in family court with my friend, for a child arrangements order where I cross-examined her ex. The order was made. In April I went with another friend to family court for the same thing. Her ex didn't show up so an order was made in his absence. The next day we all went back to court (he hadn't been aware of the order and rang court when he found out) and I cross-examined him. The order was kept in place until the next hearing to give him time to prepare and find a solicitor. In March I went again with my friend, and this time his ex had a barrister, who asked what firm I was from. She then asked for my SRA number. I explained I was a mckenzie friend and she said that I needed the court's permission, and because I hadn't had it, the court had assumed I was a solicitor, and therefore I had been impersonating a solicitor which is an offence under the solicitors act 1974 as well as fraud. Since then I have been extremely worried, I had no idea I was doing anything wrong, I have a law degree but nothing else. I was only paid for expenses and helping with paperwork (less than £200). The friends I represented thought I was a solicitor and they still do, because they think having a law degree is all I need, even though I've explained to them. I am now terrified of going to prison. Ive been asking my sister to get me some advice, she is moving to France at the end of this month, so if I go to prison there is nobody that can look after my young kids (their dad died by suicide and I''m estranged from all other family on his side and my side due to abuse). My kids would suffer so much as one has PTSD and the other is very young and Im all they know. I read that the sentence can be 2 years prison. I am so scared. I was only trying to help my friends. I know now it is wrong. It has been 3 months now and nothing has happened, but the last friend I helped is due to have her final hearing soon with a judge and I know I will be mentioned. At her last hearing in May (which I didn't go to) they brought up the fact I wasn't a solicitor and had represented her so far. (She told me this).
Somebody is going to report it surely? If they haven't already like that solicitor said she would.
I am scared I will go to prison. I'd lose my kids, my job, everything. I really need some advice. The court doesnt have my address (unless my friends gave it to them?) but they have my name. I have no previous convictions but I am known to the police for my husband being violent to me when he was alive. Will they come to my work to arrest me? What will I do with my kids when I'm being questioned as I have nobody (unless it's school hours and they're at school).
I have spent hours googling it and there are hardly any reports about people impersonating a solicitor, but there are a few, and they all ended up in prison for between 6 months - 2 years.
I am so scared. It's been 2 years since my husband died, I'm finally rebuilding my life, just started a new job this year in a promising career, my youngest is about to start school, eldest is getting help for her PTSD. It would destroy the kids to lose me as well. Especially the eldest, because we also lost her beloved gran end of the last year, so she is struggling with abandonment issues too (waiting diagnosis).
I literally have nobody who would look after my kids. My family are abusive monsters and I'm estranged from them. My late husband's family are even worse. I have no friends locally, and the friends I do have wouldn't be able to look after my 2 kids.
Please help me - I'm terrified, Ive even had to approach samaritans as I've been feeling that low.
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