I have a hearing coming up soon, so far I've been trying to keep costs down and responding to my ex husbands solicitor myself. I do have have a solicitor but only for advice, so far I've asked her to reply to one email. I've received her bill today and it's over £700. The other stuff is for looking over the Cafcass letter, looking over the emails from the other side. This amount has thrown me.
Anyway getting to my point, my FHDRA hearing is soon, its expected to last one hour, (essentially my ex wants the children more often and my position is its not feasible as they are travelling hundred of miles for essentially only a full day on Saturday and Friday night and Sunday are travelling there and back)
The hearing is to last one hour, I don't think we will reach an agreement a barrister is going to cost me the best part of £1000. Can I do it myself, has anyone represented themselves before? I simply can't afford this money as we are really struggling financially with everything else. My solicitor said it's the done thing but Im struggling to justify it when I think I know the issues myself and I might not be as articulate as a barrister but I know my case and my stance. Is it worth me just representing myself and the Respondent? Or will I shoot myself in the foot?