This short guide explains what remote court hearings are and how they will work. It answers some common queries that users may have.
We hope that it will be useful for parents involved in family court cases about their children – or for anyone else involved in family court cases, regardless of whether or not they have a lawyer. Lawyers could provide a copy of this document to their clients before a hearing and courts could provide a copy to litigants.
Download the Remote Court Hearings Guide
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Our legal bloggers take time out at their own expense to attend courts and to write up hearings.
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Thanks for reading!
Iv found remote hearings very unfair, I have been muted by judges and barristers , Iv had paperwork put into the hearing stating Iv agreed and then even when I didn’t know off! Then pressured into singing if not they won’t represent me! But than stated to court I signed any how, when Iv tried to say anything I was muted . Most the time there also was a long time were I was waiting to be connected and seemed to be halfway through the court at one court hearing. This is child protection hearing . Divorce hearing with having gone through DV and coercion and was not represented at the time I was found to not only be bullied by my coercive ex but he’s solicitor and denying assorts even saying d v never happened when had evidence and fact finding and non molestation order against him and occupation order on him . Then was shouted at by judge and muted not had a say even when I was acting for myself in this instance. Also not knowing what was put In . I find it very disrespectful and disgusting distressing even worse than going In person
So far having had 4 hearings as a foreign born litigant in person I have found judges do not read anything one puts before them and the barrister for my spouse is able to submit his skeleton argument, his draft order and all papers either half way through the hearing or not at all. The judge simply ‘approves’ of this. These are not ‘hearings’ in the conventional sense where both sides arguments are heard but one sided bias from the judges in cahoots with the barrister and solicitor.
At one hearing the judge refused to allow to me have a litigant’s friend and in all others the judge refused to allow me or my litigants friend to speak. Can you imagine what that is like when one doesn’t understand English very well and one has been given not one document or argument by the barrister who always submits nothing or provides it mid hearing? All this the judge approves
As a foreign born speaker and with very limited English the whole thing is a joke and a charade.
Point out that there is supposed to be equality of arms and that the submitted guidance of the Lord Chief Justice and President of the Family Division and the guidance on LIPs and McKenzie Friends are supposed to be complied with and the judges just ignore you.
Point out that due to covid that I have had no computer and no printing facilities and access to no documents and no access to any law texts as all libraries were shut and the judge and barrister just smirk and laugh in your face
I have spoken for maybe 30 seconds in 2 hrs of hearings and the barrister for my spouse spoken for maybe an hour. In the one request I made where I gave an answer to a judge my answer was completely ignored and everything my spouse’s barrister said is eagerly rubbers tamped and they engage in banter like old friends.
I think the Lord Chief Justice and President of the Family Division ought to see what is actually going on in their courts and see how barristers and solicitors actually behave and making a complete mockery of the law, justice and fairness
The English legal system is designed only for the wealthy and the notion of fairness is a complete joke; it is third world law at the moment