Hi! Thought I'd run this one past the Mumsnetters. I've also emailed my solicitor for advice btw!
Two years ago I left central belt Scotland, where I had lived with my husband and child, for Carlisle, after husband and I separated. We separated because I wanted myself and child to get away from emotional control and religious fanaticism.
Hence the move away.
He took me to court for custody and lost, but the sheriff (judge in Scotland) told me off in court for 'taking my child out of Scotland'. My comment that many parts of Scotland were further away than Carlisle did not go down well! She has a reputation for being a dragon!
We had a contact order in place where I had to take my child to see her dad on set dates and I had to do the transport because he doesn't drive.
Now we have to sort things out ourselves, according to the sheriff. He has sent me s list of weekends and holidays when he wants me to drive her up to see him. He is moving in two weeks and hasn't told me yet where to!
Our child is 14 in a couple of months. I want them to have a big day in what they want, but they are scared to upset dad, and a bit confused about what to say. They have told me in private that they are fed up of driving up and down to Scotland and would prefer school holidays only.
I have looked for independent advocates for my child, but unless they are looked after (in care) they can't have one!!
If he takes us back to court it will be under Scottish law, but we now live in England.
If we got the same sheriff, well she was quite moralistic about me separating from her dad and disapproving of me moving away from him, despite the circumstances. She told me that I had chosen to move so I had to pay for all the transport for contact.
Help!