Desperate and asking for pro-bono legal help

[Pleasecansomehelpme]

I truly can't believe it's come to this but here I am.

I need help but have no way to fund it.

My sister's son has disclosed his father has been sexually abusing him. This was 2 years ago. The police bungled the interviews, no prosecution.

The father is a complete narcissist and is now dragging my sister through the courts. After 4 hearings we have to go to fact finding which is 5 full days. We're already £17000 down on credit cards. We have no more money.

Please - if you are a family solicitor or barrister who can help keep my nephew safe and work for free I don't know how we'd repay you.

We just can't believe we've got here.

So sorry for begging. There just no other choice now.

I'm onto them on Monday but they need at least three weeks and we don't have that amount of time. I suppose I could ask for a postponement.

Thank you.

What is your sister being taken to court for? If it is shared custody, surely social services would be able to prevent that being awarded?

Familylawsolicitor - the hearing date isn't out yet but several submissions and statements and transcripts have to be submitted by end July. It's in London

User - I cannot begin to go through this nonsense. SS aren't involved as they are satisfied he's safe with my sister. I honestly don't know how this country is supposed to work. Ex says that because there's no proof my sister made it up to be vindictive. The barrister we can no longer afford said that it's the most complex private law case she's seen in years.

It sounds like you might have enough time for bar pro bono. They don't usually do more than 3 day hearings though. It's right that you can't self refer but cab/law centres can refer you. Your old solicitor might also be able to refer you.

Familylaw- we have to file some paperwork in the next 3 weeks (but less now) and probono bar says they can't help if there are any deadlines within 3 weeks.

The DV was over 5 years ago do not eligible.

However, I have read that if a case is sufficiently complex, lack of assistance with representation could constitute a breach of human rights.

I'll try again for legal aid first thing tomorrow morning.

Following on from my original post, we have had so much conflicting advise that we're really at the end of our tether.

Can anyone who really knows tell me the following:

1. How I can find a solicitor who can help with the application for EXCEPTIONAL legal aid - all the solicitors I've approached seem to either know nothing about it or be unwilling to assist.

1. If there any family law practices who offer pro-bono assistance and how I should approach them.

I have asked to be referred to the Bar Pro-Bono service but because there are deadlines all the time for statements etc it looks like it's going to be refused.

This is utterly exhausting. I'm 11 weeks pregnant, sick, my sister and I are both broke and we're terrified. I feel like the system has let us down really badly.

There is absolutely no way my sister is able to represent herself effectively. We are being referred to Bar ProBono and I'm hoping that we will be accepted but obviously that isn't a certainty.

And whilst I understand it's difficult, I need someone to assist with the application and no one seems to be able to. I feel like I'm just going round in circles.

Presumably the father wants some contact or more contact or residence. Could your sister agree limited contact starting with supervised contact with a grand parent present?

Babybarrister - current barrister has suggested pro bono unit and law society - isn't willing to do pro bono herself.

Familylaw - thank you for that link - I will look into it further.

Lucy - I can't really divulge much but father was residence.

Thank you Family - I will contact them today.

Yes, best not to divulge much. I hope your sister finds the help needed. If the father has residence and yet is still making an application it sounds quite urgent as the longer the norm for the children is living with him the harder to change that status quo and their norm.

Has your sister asked the court whether it will make a rule 16.2 direction for her son to be made a party to the case? The court would then appoint a guardian who would appoint a solicitor. They would be able to test the evidence in a fact finding case - although would have different parameters to your sister so obviously not the same as her being represented. If the case is so complicated the court may well be prepared to make the direction.

Sorry Lucy - father 'wants' residence. He's never had it.

Lily - court has appointed a guardian at our Barrister's request.

Bless you both, I have had the same with SS deciding DC was safe with me after disclosures and police not prosecuting because of lack of corroboration. It means you are on the frontline of keeping your DC safe and in a financial nightmare if you cannot get legal aid. No advice, just sympathy