In family proceedings courts can members of the public or media be invited in by me?
I am currently fighting the local authoritys decision to keep my children in care, in the proceedings a lot of the evidence put before the court was lies and not able to be proven i want others (friends media anyone who can stick up for me and tell the courts its lies) to be invited into t he court to witness the complete unjust and shambolic proceedings and maybe then they will stop with the complete nonsense of keeping my children away from me their mother.
Answers:
Actually, most family proceedings are closed proceedings, meaning that only the parties, witnesses who testify, and officers of the court can be allowed into the courtroom. If the evidence is truly not able to be proven, then you shouldn't have any worries. Unfortunately, I have found in my years of reviewing appeals in custody/termination of parental rights/abuse cases that this is hardly ever the case.
No
You have the right by law to call any witness you want in proceedings like this. They may not all be able to sit in crt before giving their evidence but stand your ground and call your witnesess.
the witness you call can only attest to a fact not hearsay so unless the media friends or anyone cannot tell any facts to the court they will not be allowed to, and on top of that because it is a family court they will have to leave the court when they have finished giving evidence. this is to protect the childs rights. I am afraid you are standing on a very sticky wicket sorry
I also have to tell you fiona m is wrong the proceedings in this court are not covered by the press and it is illegal to report in the press. taking a dictaphone in court is contempt of court also a completely useless and wrong answer to your question
Hello Helen. yes you can ask the press officer at the court to sit in with you and give permission for them to report. Also go to your local newspaper AND contact WWW.FASSIT.CO.UK
Also take family members with you< ask some peple to give
a written reference for you. Do not under any circumstances
sign anything at the court. If you solicitor asks you to sign anything. tell them you want to take it away to read it properley
then go to the citizens Advice or the Law society ask them to
look at the paper and what the consequences will be if you sign anything. Tell the court you want your children at all times
Also write everything down that happens in court and take a
Dictaphone and record everything. Try and keep this concealed Then if anything happens that should not you have
Evidence also if they start using jargon you do not understand.
ask them to explain it so you can understand. if they do not do
that ask for the court to be stopped or adjourned until you can seek further advice privately from your solicitor. Do not trust
all solicitors and go to a reputable family solicitor ask how many cases they have dealt with and how many they have won.
If you wish to call witnesses, then you may do so, but they will only be allowed to be in court while giving evidence. If you have a close relative (mother, sister) whom you want to have sitting beside you for support, this might be possible if no other party objects. However, these are private proceedings and there is no question of allowing the press along under existing rules. There has, however, been a proposal to open up the family courts and the position could change. http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/doc...
Everyone has the right to what's called a MacKenzie friend. This is a friend who can sit with you, take notes, witness what's happening, and give you advice while you're presenting your case. You have to ask the judge / magistrates first. Remember though that they're also bound by the secrecy of family courts.
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