12 days until fact find and barrister has just informed he c

[Jabido]

Hi

I need urgent advice for my brother. Long story short him and his wife are accused of non accidental injury. 12 days until the fact find hearing. My brother has today been told his barrister has withdrawn due to personal reasons. With such a short space of time before fact find we are at a loss as to what to do. Where can he quickly find another barrister to take the case? Is it possible to request a delay to fact find? I am sure this would be a very difficult decision for my brother and his wife to take but I feel if a new barrister goes in unprepared then this could be more damaging than any emotional hurt caused by s further delay to them getting their children back. Anyone please help and recommend any good barristers or advice.

many thanks

[charmed1]

12 days until the fact find hearing. My brother has today been told his barrister has withdrawn due to personal reasons. With such a short space of time before fact find we are at a loss as to what to do. Where can he quickly find another barrister to take the case? Is it possible to request a delay to fact find? I am sure this would be a very difficult decision for my brother and his wife to take but I feel if a new barrister goes in unprepared then this could be more damaging than any emotional hurt caused by s further delay to them getting their children back. Anyone please help and recommend any good barristers or advice.

This is what happened to me and I hope it clarifies your situation a little bit.

I was waiting for my barrister to arrive while in the court's waiting area. Somehow my original barrister had been given 2 o'clock to be at court when it should have been 10 o'clock. This was a directions hearing so slightly less important than a fact finding hearing but anyhow my solicitor had to commission another barrister from the same chambers to hot foot it to court to represent me.

It was a very worrying few hours with phone calls between my husband's barrister and my new barrister. The hearing was delayed as she had to come at zero notice by train. She was my 3rd barrister in 11 months of hearings.

From my situation it appears that it's the job of your solicitor to instruct a replacement barrister for you and get them up to speed as quickly as possible so they are then in the best position to represent you.

Please try not to worry just keep in touch with your solicitor and make sure they know that you are extremely concerned. Good luck.

[Jabido]

Hi charmed1

Thank you so much for your response, it certainly has provided me with some more insight
I will pass onto my brother and hopefully his solicitor can pull his finger out a bit!

Thanks again

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Jabido

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board.

I am sorry that your brother has found himself in this situation at what must be a difficult time for him already.

Charmed response is very much what happens sometimes in court proceedings. Sometimes barristers have to withdraw unexpectedly but with 12 days before the fact finding hearing your brother’s solicitor will be able to instruct a new barrister who will have all the papers and your brother’s instructions in the case and be up to speed for the hearing.

Best wishes

Suzie