In court tomorrow...

[BopsX3]

I only found out this morning that I am due in court tomorrow!

I haven't had any CAFCASS reports (they haven't even spoken to me), I haven't had XPs statement, I haven't had social workers reports or anything. I didnt even know I was supposed to be in court

Apparently everything has been sent to the wrong address. What do I do? I have no idea what I'm walking into tomorrow

This is regarding XP wanting contact with my son who he hasn't seen or even spoken To for 5 years. DS has no clue who he is (he grew up thinking someone else was his dad as XP made it clear he didnt want to know). DS also has SEN so I'm not sure how he'll cope if XP gets contact and drops a bombshell that hes his biological father.

Wtf do I do? I have to represent myself as I'm not entitled to legal aid and can't afford a solicitor. XP has paid for his solicitor so hes represented. I feel like I'm about to walk into a minefield :(

[Hawkmoth]

Can you ask for an adjournment under the circumstances?

How did everything end up at a wrong address?

Sounds awful.

[BopsX3]

It was supposed to be postponed untill November as XP has had some health issues, but the judge said hes deal with it in court and hes not postponing.

I moved home back in may, but I rang around everyone and told them my new address. I rang the SS legal department when I got the letter this morning to find out what was going on and she said my social worker had only just given her my new address.

[BopsX3]

In the letter it said there's been a CAFCASS report handed into court aswell, yet CAFCASS haven't even rung me about it, or spoken to my son etc. they definately have my new address and phone number as they sent me a letter out confirming my details had been changed

[Hawkmoth]

What happened? Did you get to look at papers in advance?

[VanitasVanitatum]

Ring the court and tell them the papers haven't been served on you and you do not have time in the circumstances to obtain appropriate advice. If they don't adjourn, attention D tomorrow and tell the judge the same. It would be very unfair to go ahead in the circs.

[BopsX3]

Hi, thanks for your replies.

I got a chance to explain to the judge that I hadn't seen any paperwork re this case. He has adjourned it untill the 28th October and given me a copy of everything I need. I now have 2 weeks to write and hand in a statement in response to XPs statement to put my views across.

I had a massive sigh of relief when I walked out of court. I honestly thought I was going to get out on the spot and made to agree to something without having time to think about it, I was so nervous!

I feel a lot better about it now though as I have time to read the reports and think about what I'm going to do next

[Hawkmoth]

Glad that common sense prevailed. Good luck.