Does anyone have any experience of Contempt of Court/Committal proceedings? Unfortunately I find myself involved in them. I am not looking for any legal advice, just looking for anyone with experience of the process.
Me and my ex-wife separated 2.5 years ago, divorce finalised 14 months ago. We share 50:50 custody of our 5-year old daughter and have done so for the last 2 years via Child Arrangements Order. Our daughter is a very happy little girl, she has many friends and is doing brilliantly at school.
I am single and live alone, my ex-wife has lived with her new partner for the last 6-months or so.
During our divorce in 2023, my ex-wife started Non-Molestation proceedings against me. I self-represented, attended a first hearing, and gave undertakings on a no findings basis to save going through a contested hearing process.
In January this year, my ex-wife applied to court to start Committal/Contempt of Court proceedings against me, alleging multiple breaches of my given undertakings.
So far we have attended 3 directions hearings in the civil court. At all of them it has been laboured to us by judges the seriousness and severity of the proceedings ahead. They have urged my ex-wife on two occasions to reconsider her application as we share custody of a child. However, on both occasions my ex-wife has confirmed her desire to proceed. We have been informed that under Contempt proceedings I could receive a custodial sentence of up to 2-years, and because of this I have been automatically qualified for full legal aid. My ex-wife has been self-representing throughout and plans to continue to do so.
We attended the most recent hearing this week. I attended with my legal aid criminal lawyer. The judge has listed us for a full 1-day civil trial and given us 8 weeks to prepare.
We have been told to expect effectively a full criminal-style trial, except in the civil court. Judges will be wearing robes, we will both need to take the stand under oath for testimony, and we will both be subject to cross-examination by our opposing legal representatives.
The process is incredibly daunting. Has anyone had experience of similar?