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This is almost unheard of and I can't find answers anywhere.
Basically I offered a friend legal advice which is fine. She asked me to go to court with her, a final family hearing and I did. She was under the impression that because I have a law degree that meant I am a solicitor. I did not know this, I assumed she knew I could only go as a mckenzie friend. Nobody asked me who I was at court, and I went in and represented her, including calling witnesses. The case ended.
A couple of months later, another friend asked me to do the same. I went to a family hearing and a prohibited steps order was made. It was a brief hearing as the ex-partner didn't turn up. I then went to another hearing a few days later, where I represented her and cross-examined him. At court before the third hearing, he had representation. His barrister asked me if I had an SRA number. I explained I was a mckenzie friend, and she said I had been impersonating a solicitor by doing what I had already done. She said she would report me to the SRA. I went home instead of going in to that hearing.
That case had another couple of hearings (which I didn't attend) and finished in July. The friend instructed the same solicitor I was "against" in the first hearing with my other friend. So this solicitor also knows what I have done.
I didn't sign any paperwork or anything (apart from a form giving my name and my friend's name). I didn't tell any judges that I was a solicitor. They must have just assumed I was as they acted like they were expecting me to talk etc.
I haven't heard anything from the police or the SRA. However I am living in utter fear as I know it can take months for them to arrest me. I am terrified they will come to my home or my work and arrest me.
I am a single parent as my kids' dad died by suicide. I have no family at all. If I go to prison, my kids will go into care. This has affected my anxiety so much I am now being medicated.
I have no criminal record, I'm a good person, I was just trying to help my friends, they didn't pay me (other than for helping with paperwork and petrol costs, around £100 in total).
My friends still think my law degree means it was all ok - I now Know it isn't.
I have accidentally carried out a reserved legal activity when not entitled to, and impersonated a solicitor. On 3 occasions in family court. It could also be called fraud or fraud by false representation.
I am terrified - I have looked it up on google and people have gone to prison for 2 years or more for this. I am so scared of what will happen to my children. They can't lose both parents.
It's been 6 months since the offence, how much longer do I need to wait before I can be reassured nobody is coming to arrest me?
Basically I offered a friend legal advice which is fine. She asked me to go to court with her, a final family hearing and I did. She was under the impression that because I have a law degree that meant I am a solicitor. I did not know this, I assumed she knew I could only go as a mckenzie friend. Nobody asked me who I was at court, and I went in and represented her, including calling witnesses. The case ended.
A couple of months later, another friend asked me to do the same. I went to a family hearing and a prohibited steps order was made. It was a brief hearing as the ex-partner didn't turn up. I then went to another hearing a few days later, where I represented her and cross-examined him. At court before the third hearing, he had representation. His barrister asked me if I had an SRA number. I explained I was a mckenzie friend, and she said I had been impersonating a solicitor by doing what I had already done. She said she would report me to the SRA. I went home instead of going in to that hearing.
That case had another couple of hearings (which I didn't attend) and finished in July. The friend instructed the same solicitor I was "against" in the first hearing with my other friend. So this solicitor also knows what I have done.
I didn't sign any paperwork or anything (apart from a form giving my name and my friend's name). I didn't tell any judges that I was a solicitor. They must have just assumed I was as they acted like they were expecting me to talk etc.
I haven't heard anything from the police or the SRA. However I am living in utter fear as I know it can take months for them to arrest me. I am terrified they will come to my home or my work and arrest me.
I am a single parent as my kids' dad died by suicide. I have no family at all. If I go to prison, my kids will go into care. This has affected my anxiety so much I am now being medicated.
I have no criminal record, I'm a good person, I was just trying to help my friends, they didn't pay me (other than for helping with paperwork and petrol costs, around £100 in total).
My friends still think my law degree means it was all ok - I now Know it isn't.
I have accidentally carried out a reserved legal activity when not entitled to, and impersonated a solicitor. On 3 occasions in family court. It could also be called fraud or fraud by false representation.
I am terrified - I have looked it up on google and people have gone to prison for 2 years or more for this. I am so scared of what will happen to my children. They can't lose both parents.
It's been 6 months since the offence, how much longer do I need to wait before I can be reassured nobody is coming to arrest me?
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