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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how to raise funds for legal fees?

16 replies

Usernametakenagain · 29/06/2017 01:54

I've changed my name for this and it will become apparent why.

My relative is being taken to court by her ex.

He is the 'father' of her son.

He was abusive to her and a cheat and she left him but the child has regular contact.

The child made disclosures of CSA and contact was stopped.

The police deemed there not to be enough evidence for prosecution so now the ex has taken her to court for residence and contact.

My relative is in social housing, works but for a very low income and has no spare money. Most of her time is taken with looking after he traumatised child. I've put all the fees on a credit card so far but I've no idea what to do long term and won't be able to service these debts if they grow much more.

Are they any grants etc that might be available or any bodies I can approach for assistance? I looked on google but there's lots of unscrupulous people offering money but it's all a scam. We're at £10k so far and it's keeping me awake at night Sad

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
RockPaperCut · 29/06/2017 02:51

Litigation loan perhaps? I've never applied for one so I'm not sure how they work. Or self rep. with a good Mackenzie friend. I'd really stop putting anymore on a cc unless you have a way of clearing it in the near future.

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/06/2017 03:48

No idea if this happens in the UK but law students here often take on this kind of thing, supervised by actual lawyers.

bumblebae · 29/06/2017 08:30

Google the Personal Support Unit who can help you manage the case if you need to represent yourselves or may be able to signpost you to somewhere that can offer funding although I think this depends where you're based - good luck Flowers

Original poster
Usernametakenagain · 29/06/2017 09:56

Thank you all for your suggestions.

The loan isn't possible owing to my sister's financial situation but I'll look at the other options.

OP posts:
Alison100199 · 29/06/2017 09:56

Are you in the UK? I thought this sort of situation was what legal aid was for ie low income people needing legal assistance. Or have I got that wrong?

Collaborate · 29/06/2017 10:02

Are you in the UK? I thought this sort of situation was what legal aid was for ie low income people needing legal assistance. Or have I got that wrong?

Back in 2012/13 the government effectively abolished family legal aid for all except recent victims of domestic violence. the financial bar is set so low that you have to have a benefit level income to be eligible. I recall at the time starting threads on here trying to draw attention to it before it was too late but no one gave much of a fuck, to be honest.

The other way the government is killing it off is that rates they pay haven't increased in over 15 years. Before long it won't matter that they restrict eligibility - no one will be able to afford to offer it.

Original poster
Usernametakenagain · 29/06/2017 10:47

Collaborate is right I'm afraid. You can represent yourself but if the other party has money and ruthless counsel (as in this case) you'd have no chance without legal representation. It's diabolical.

OP posts:
snotato · 29/06/2017 10:58

If you Google pro bono family solicitors in your area you may find a solicitor that may take on the case for free.
Also it may be worth seeing if your local university has a law department.i know my local university has a "law clinic" and they give free advice/representation to people which is good for them as it allows the students to learn first hand.
I don't know of any grants for things like this though.
Good luck to your relative.

Collaborate · 29/06/2017 11:34

She could also apply for an order under Schedule 1 of the Children Act for a lump sum to meet her fees. It would only be worthwhile if the other party had the means to pay.

McTufty · 29/06/2017 11:42

The other way the government is killing it off is that rates they pay haven't increased in over 15 years. Before long it won't matter that they restrict eligibility - no one will be able to afford to offer it.

I gave up the family Bar for this reason. Not that I was impoverished, but it wasn't worth the constant stress and hassle given that a lot of the cases i would barely break even on. It's also massively unfair that most cases are listed before magistrates not judges now because a judge is far more likely to get to grips with the matter and be firm without the help of lawyers to prepare the case (that's no disrespect to magistrates who give up their time and do their best)

OP you could try getting in touch with the Bar Pro Bono unit as well, they sometimes take cases on.

KERALA1 · 29/06/2017 12:27

Some of the big city law firms do pro bono law clinics if you are in London? Would think smaller / medium sized firms extremely unlikely to do the work for free.

tumtitum · 29/06/2017 12:31

Can she not get legal aid due to the domestic violence? I thought that was pretty much the only legal aid left now. Haven't read the whole thread so apologies if this has been done to death already!

bibliomania · 29/06/2017 12:33

My solicitor let me pay off in monthly instalments. It took me years, but I did it. When we ended up in court again, I self-represented. Family court without a lawyer is a good resource.

bibliomania · 29/06/2017 12:34

turnitin, the abuse has to be fairly recent and there needs to be some evidence.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 29/06/2017 12:46

The previous time limit on abusive incidents has been changed from 2 years to something like 5 so it may be worth applying for legal aid again if the previous application was from before the change

bibliomania · 30/06/2017 09:36

That's useful to know, sock.

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