UK:F4J; Dads advised to sack their legal teams 

UK:F4J; Dads advised to sack their legal teams

Source unknown

17 March 2004

Dads advised to sack their legal teams

Men and women entangled in family law cases were advised to sack their lawyers this week.

Dozens of men and women attended Monday's first local meeting of radical civil rights group Fathers-4-Justice (F4J) in Newbury. The group campaigns for reform of family law.

Mothers and grandmothers joined men at the meeting, angry at the obstacles they face in seeing their children or grandchildren after divorce or separation.

But members and guests were advised to avoid using solicitors.

Co-ordinator Mike Ellis said: "Barristers and solicitors see each other every day, they see the same judge and they won't want to cause offence to that judge because they may want to be promoted to an area judge.

"It's a real game to them. There are real advantages in not having a solicitor. You don't play the game, you put them on the back foot."

The group offers McKenzie Friends - F4J colleagues who can help and advise in court hearings - to replace solicitors.

Phil Osgood from F4J in Hampshire, a veteran of 81 court hearings in his own case, told the meeting he was now taking his local social services department to court.

Those present were urged to take part in protests outside the offices of their local CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) on April 1, the service's third birthday. CAFCASS has had a controversial existence since setting up and has prompted numerous complaints.

The meeting heard that both militant and non militant members were welcome to be part of F4J and high profile stunts were to be planned.