There has been a massive increase in the numbers of people representing themselves in court in cases concerning children. Between April and December 2013 the courts saw a 57% increase in the number of those without lawyers compared with the previous year.
This increase is likely to be partly due to the removal of legal aid in almost all cases concerning children disputes between parents.
The effect on the system has been a reduced level of efficiency due to further demands being placed on court staff, hearings taking much longer and applications being made without merit.
The effect on those representing themselves however has been far more noticeable. People who have represented themselves at court have described a very stressful and daunting experience and some who we have seen over the last 12 months have come away from court with unsatisfactory outcomes.
At Higgins Miller we have come up with a menu of fixed fees to allow people to take up our services without the uncertainty of a huge bill at the end of the process. With our fixed fees we ask clients to pay a set amount in advance of the work being done safe in the knowledge that no further bill will be delivered in relation to that piece of work. This gives those who though that they may not be able to afford a solicitor the opportunity of professional and affordable legal advice.
For more information contact us.