Direct access barrister for first financial hearing?

[noideawhatusernametochoose]

I've been self repping so far with help from solicitor when needed. First financial hearing is coming up. STBEX has not been great throughout proceedings and I am seriously considering whether it's worth investing in a barrister for this stage.

Has anyone here done this, did you think it was worth it, would you do it again? I really don't have much savings so want to use them wisely.

I did this exact thing and would highly recommend it. Mine was £3 k for each day in court but obviously he did all the prep before hand it totalled £9k which I was more than happy to pay because he did get me 50% of assets which my ex would never have agreed to in a million years in other words I made a lot more than he cost me

£9k??? If you go to court unless there's significant other reasons you will generally get 50% so I don't think most people need to spend that amount. We did our settlement privately, cost £560 to get it certified by a solicitor

Thank you, both interesting perspectives.
My STBEX has been a complete pain throughout and I don't think will be reasonable, so achieving a settlement privately is looking unlikely.
Eek at 9k but I get what you say about what it might save..