Bristol Civil and Family Justice centre
McKenzie Friend Support
McKenzie Friend Support
Bristol Civil and Family Justice centre
Address : 2 Redcliff Street
Bristol
BS1 6GR
Website https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/bristol-civil-and-family-justice-centre
Telephone number 0117 366 4880
Email
Bristol Civil and Family Justice centre is the Bristol family court location that divorcing or separated parents attend for Child arrangement order, Non-molestation order, Occupation order and Divorce Financial settlement Hearings (Ancillary Relief)
Who applies for court orders at Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre and Why?
A Child arrangement order is commonly applied for by Fathers restricted in or denied access to their children following the end of a parental relationship.It is common for Mothers in such situations to make allegations against the Father. Fathers making c100 applications need to think carefully about how they will respond
A Non-molestation order is commonly applied for by Mothers seeking to prevent contact from their ex-partner.They can be problematic if you are a Father seeking to have regular contact with your children
A Occupation order is commonly applied for by Mothers seeking to have a partner removed from a joint ownership or joint tenancy family home
A Divorce Financial settlement application (called Ancillary Relief) is commonly applied for by both Fathers and Mothers. The applicant will seek the English and Welsh civil courts assistance to finalise the terms and conditions of their financial separation, such how to divide up their marital assets such as Family homes
Resolve Civil Disputes at Bristol Civil and Family Justice centre without using a Family Lawyer
If you are a Bristol parent who is divorcing or separating and cannot agree the terms of your separation with your ex-partner by consent then you may find Bristol family law solicitors costs unaffordable. You risk incurring high legal bills if no progress can be made towards a resolution
As a divorcing or separted parent faced with attending Bristol Civil and Family Justice centre you can choose to go through the family court process without legal representation and present your own case as a litigant in person. Often you will have to present your case against family lawyers (solicitors or barristers)
Graham Fletcher successfully presented his own case as a litigant in person against family lawyers in his own divorce in 2012 and achieved shared residency of his 2 children and a fair divorce financial settlement
Graham is a Bristol Based McKenzie Friend who supports Mothers and Fathers attending Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre to succesfully navigate the family court civil dispute process without using a family law solicitor
Graham is a published author on how family courts work and has appeared numerous times on BBC Radio.
Graham Fletcher has over 150 5 Star McKenzie Friend reviews which you can read HERE
What's involved in presenting my own case as a litigant in person at Bristol Civil and Family Justice centre?
You will need to:
Speak in depth to a social worker from Cafcass (Family court advisor) about your family situation
Submit paperwork as evidence
Negotiate with Lawyers prior to the court hearing
Speak to a Judge or Magistrates during the hearing
Understand how court works and what the legalese language used by Lawyers means
Respond to fast-moving court discussions in court and understand what is being agreed and disagreed
Be prepared to make sudden decisions impacting on your family at short notice
State your aims, objectives and proposals for solutions clearly
Listen carefully to what the Judge or magistrates order
Understand what actions are required from you going forward
Feel confident to stand up for yourself and to calmly present your case
What Risks are involved in presenting my own case as a litigant in person at Bristol Civil and Family Justice centre?
There is a risk that if you choose to present your own case as a litigant in person without the support of a McKenzie Friend that your emotions on the day of court may overwhelm you and impact on how you react or come across to the Judge or Magistrates
A litigant in person may freeze or forget what they had wanted to say to a Judge
A litigant in person may be pressured into making big decisions on the spot in a fast-moving court hearing
Litigants in person often don't know how the family courts system works and risk not presenting themselves in the best way possible to the assessing court officials
A court order could be made that you don't fully understand
Key details maybe omitted from the draft court order prepared by other parties lawyer when drafting the court order for the court
What services does Graham Fletcher McKenzie Friend offer Litigants in person attending Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre ?
Reviewing your paperwork pre-court
Confidentially discussing your options through with you
Help you develop and refine your court strategy
Insightful tips and advice on how to improve your draft statements so that you can positively influence the court process as much as possible in your written evidence
Cafcass interview preparation sessions to help you prepare you for important interview that influence court decision making. If you are facing false allegations of domestic abuse, this is a particularly important aspect to be fully prepared for.
To help you emotionally prepare for speaking to a Judge, Cafcass and negotiating with Lawyers
Attendance at your court hearing to help you negotiate with solicitors, take written notes,prompt you on key details and to quietly provide advice and emotional support during the court hearing
Co-parenting tips based on his 10 years of shared parenting experience
Trained facilitator of dynamic, holistic techniques such as Psych-k, which can reduce fears and anxiety connected with attending court hearings