Any family law solicitors around?

[truebeliever]

I really need some advice. Hopefully it wont turn into an essay.

Been with my DP a year, he's divorced with a DD(8). I've met her, we get on. She asks me to join her and her dad on days out.

My DP and his ex are not the most amicable, they have no formal contact arrangement in place and she has form for cancelling his contact when she feels like it.
His ex kicks up a fuss when I've seen the DD and says I'm not to be around her, that she (the ex) and the DD hate me and that DP won't be allowed contact if I'm around.

He has tried mediation and after they both had separate sessions he was told they couldn't help.

I've suggested he initiate proceedings for court ordered contact. He thinks it's a waste of time as she says she's seen a solicitor who told her he'd not get it. She says he won't because the police were once called to a disturbance.

My DP is feeling increasingly frustrated by all this and I'm trying to reassure and persuade him that it is worth initiating proceedings with a solicitor. What would be the best course of action?

If he is still currently having contact and he apples for an order and she suddenly stop then she will have to explain why? It takes about six weeks to get the first hearing and if he has proof that she allowed contact after the incident then she has to explain why. If she gets a solicitor they may come up with a lots of accusations which means he may have to start at a contact centre. It's hard to know what will happen.
But he should put something in place as soon as because as the dc gets older they listen to the negativity more and can say they don't want to go even if they do not understand what that means.

Take her to court. Why would he take at face value the legal advice that she says she’s received?

Why is he listening to his ex's legal advice ?? The clue is in the title , the advice is for his ex ! Tell him to stop being so bloody wet and put an application in for Child Arrangement Order . Download from HMCTS website £215 (reduced for those of limited means - fill in the help with fees form.
Don't need a lawyer . It's normal to self represent but if money not tight then get one.
Don't do nothing. Fathers who wring their hands but whine about lack of contact are pathetic. His child needs him to step up for the sake of her right to a relationship with him.

Thank you, you've all said what I thought. He needs to pull his head out the sand and just do it. This is all alien to me as my co-parenting arrangements are quite amicable. The form looks intense. Please tell me it's easy when you look at it properly.

It really is easy when you print it off and follow the notes.

It’s not hard and if you have questions you can often get an answer on here. Lucy Reed has a book - Family Court without a Lawyer - that is helpful. She also has some videos on YouTube I think. He does need to get on with it though.