Hearing next week nervous

[NervouslyWaiting1]

I have a return hearing for a non molestation order next week and I’m really nervous, don’t know what to expect as I’ve never been to court before. It’s at 10am, and I’m nervous to see him on the day. If anyone has any experience in court, can you please tell me what to do when I get there? I’m just so nervous

Do you have any professional support - either a solicitor or an advocate? They would be able to guide you through what happens and a legal representative can speak to the judge on your behalf - it’s worth looking for support services in your local area to see if someone is available to attend with you. When you get to court let the usher know you’re there and ask if there is a separate waiting room you can sit in. There may be some waiting around as all morning cases are listed for 10am and the judge just works through the list. The judge will want to hear from both sides so they can make a decision on whether they think the order is needed. I’m assuming that as it’s a return hearing the first one was ex parte and the initial order was issued and the respondant now has their chance to put their side across? Best of luck

How did you get on @NervouslyWaiting1

ive just been granted one ex parte and have the return hearing next week. Is this the one where I will be questioned? Or will that be at the further one?

Hi forgot to update
had my return hearing last month, it was only a 30 min hearing where judge asked the respondents views on my allegations. He of course denied all allegations, so the judge scheduled a fact finding hearing in the new year where I have to submit my statement and Scott schedule of 8 allegations I want the court to focus on and he needs to send his response to my statement and evidence.

He had the choice of accepting the non molestation order on no findings and just let it run out, or take undertakings. He refused and requested to contest the application. This is part of his narcissistic personality, I have evidence for every allegation I made, screenshots, police reports. Clear cut evidence and he wants to challenge it. He hasn’t even applied for a CAO to see his kids, his goal is to destroy me mentally

Your return hearing is not where you will be cross examined or bring evidence, that’s just to hear respondents view on the application. Whether he wants to accept or challenge it, or make admissions. The fact finding hearing is where you will be cross examined and need to bring evidence. That is. 5-6 hour hearing.

Thank you for replying so quickly. I’ve spent hours searching online for help and advice and I can’t seem to find much!

when is your next hearing? Just wondered what the timescale is between hearings? What are you providing as evidence? Copies of police reports are £181 per report which I just can’t afford!

My next hearing is in January. Are you not represented? I have a solicitor and I’m on legal aid, so that will cover the police disclosure. There’s a lot to my case as the judge has ordered Women’s aid to provide a letter regarding their involvement with me, social services and police reports from two different police forces.

I have got a solicitor for the children related matters but I did the non molestation order through a domestic abuse charity before I’d started with my solicitor and got legal aid.

I’ve contacted my solicitor for representation for this but they can’t get the legal aid in place for this by next Tuesday, but they will have it in place by the further hearing date (hopefully anyway!).

I didn’t know legal aid could cover a police disclosure. I have had involvement from the police twice, my doctors, a domestic abuse charity and social services.

The judge asked ex if he could pay for the police disclosure and he refused. So the judge ordered that the police disclosure to be covered by my legal aid certificate.

make sure you ask for a screen in the court room so ex can’t see you. You can ask security when you get to court and tell them you want special measures. Get there early, an hour before your hearing. Don’t be upset if ex starts shouting. My ex told the judge it’s all lies and I’ve done it for x y z. The judge just shut him down and ordered a fact finding. If your ex is anything like mine, he’ll think he can gaslight the judge and spend hours shouting lol.

Have you looked into a charity like an advocate or revok to support you on the day?

I have got a separate waiting room and the screen will be up in court, I requested this on my application.

my ex was arrested due to a report from his ex years ago and the police went back to her and said he was a very charming man, so I’m fully expecting him to come across as being a lovely man who has done nothing that I say he has! He actually never even sees that he does wrong either and that’s one of the main issues!

@Laura95167 a domestic abuse charity are sending someone with me next week to provide support and also as they’ll know what to expect in court etc

it’s good that you have someone with you. Please update us next week :)