Help with divorce costs?

[stella1w]

A friend of a friend is one month away from the final divorce hearing. Her H is abusive and rich. She has no money and mental health issues. She cannot find a barrister who will represent her without money up front and her solicitor has just fired her because she thinks H will not pay costs even if so ordered. I think proceedings were started before the legal aid cuts. I would be very grateful for any ideas on support groups or understanding lawyers she can approach, thanks.

[stella1w]

Thanks. I like the look of red bar..but thought barristers had to be instructed by solicitors?

[lostdad]

You can now engage a barrister without a solicitor - although you needed one in times gone by.

She can also use a McKenzie Friend. They are a fraction of a cost of most legal professionals and the good ones are just as good (sometimes better).

Good list here:

www.fnf.org.uk/law-and-information/mckenzie-friends

[kittycat68]

McKenzie Friends are not legal proffesionals, and she would need to self rep herself. I am not sure op if she is up to that.

Get a free half hour consultantion with a legal aid solicitor and get thier opion on how to progress.

[stella1w]

Yes, she is in no state of mind to selfrep and the other side will be represented.

[Collaborate]

The court now has the power to make interim lump sum and property adjustment orders solely to meet the legal fees of one of the parties.

[stella1w]

Thanks collaborate, thatis goof to know, will pass that along.

[mumblechum1]

As Collaborate says, her best bet may be to apply for an interim lump sum order. This is something her former solicitors should have advised in the circumstances tbh.

[Collaborate]

It's called a Legal Services Order.