Hello there any solicitor mums on here who can help???
I attended family court yesterday for the first time for a court order. The applicant (the father) wanted many orders to be considered. He was granted parental responsibility yesterday (our son is nearly 9). He asked for our son’s surname to change from mine to his. The magistrate said he would not order this. That we should negotiate outside of court. Suggesting we might double barrel the name. We then went out to mediate with caffcass regarding the shared care rota. THe father would not agree. We came back into court. The law advisor asked us both if we were happen to have the final court order today put in place. We both said yes. The magistrate ordered the rota and then also said he was changing our son’s name to double barrel the surname. We never had a discussion about this. I contested this as he said he wasn’t go to make an order. The legal advisor confirmed that is what he had previously said. The magistrate asked the father if he was happy with just my surname. He said no so the magistrate said then I decide it’s double barrelled. I feel I have good grounds for appeal as the process was not adhered to. I also feel there could be a sexual discrimination case here? Any thoughts ??