Mentoring
Julia Margo, co-founder of Fair Hearing, draws on her seven years’ journey through family courts to mentor others struggling to navigate this complex system. Here, anonymised, are some of the more than 250 case studies our charity has been working on.
Email: enquiries@fairhearing.org.uk
Referral experience case study 4 July 2025 - present day
| Date | Referred By | Contact Made | Outcome | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 July 2025 | Police | Phone calls, emails, requests for information | Conflicting and no record of alleged incident on 18 July 2025. No ongoing referral to specialise org’s mentioned | Request BMV; File request for information; Repeated follow ups |
| 19 JUL 2025 | DA charity | Phone, email | Unable to help; case too complex | |
| 19 JUL 2025 | Child welfare charity | Online Query - unable to help due to public / private law issues | ||
| 21 JUL 2025 | Barrister | Response via online portal | Response via online portal | Call, discuss, denied due to complexity created by handling of matter |
| 21 JUL 2025 | DA charity | Appointment for 22 July 2025 | Advised in writing matter was “public” and gave list of potential legal representation | Called / contacted recommended; conflicting advice given |
| 21 JUL 2025 | Independent social worker | Telephone and email | Confirmed availability and fees | Request ISW Order |
| 29 JUL 2025 | Solicitors | Multiple email and telephone | Unable to ascertain public or private law matter after delayed response from local authority; possibly “private” | Continue to attempt to obtain legal advice, advise RCJ / Citizen Advice re conflicting information |
| 23 July 2025 | Solicitors | Email /online/ telephone | Unable to assist; signposted | Keep looking for representation |
| 25 JUL 2025 | Family Division - Appeals | Auto Response | ||
| 27 JUL 2025 | Pro Bono Lawyers | Unable to obtain previous files in the matter (ongoing) | No Response | Complaint to Legal Aid Agency |
| 29 JUL 2025 | Court support charity | Email follow up | Sent over request from information gathered | Call re FP161 and quote for skeleton argument |
| 31 JUL 2025 | Solicitors | Multiple email and telephone | Email advice that it was a “private matter” | Continue to attempt to obtain legal advice, advise RCJ / Citizen Advice re conflicting information |
| Multiple others still waiting on response etc | Researching FP161 Guidelines | Drafting FP161 in anticipation of legal advice | ||
| 04 AUG 2025 | Still receiving confirmation of awaiting response as of today | Email confirmations, requests for more information etc | Following up and drafting FP161 | File FP161 Continue seeking legal advice |
| 04 AUG 2025 | Solicitors | Online request for Form FP161 review prior to resubmission | Phone call follow up re advice | Continue working on FP161 |
| 04 AUG 2025 | FLOWS | Phone and email | Signposted to already spoke with organisations | |
| 04 AUG 2025 | Solicitors | Phone call and recommendation to BHO | Contact and information provided | Called and emailed documents |
| Sep 2025 | Court support charity | Cannot help as technically “appeal” but not appeal | ||
| 04 OCT 2025 | DA charity | Circled back to same solicitor suggestions that have already advised of inability to do so | ||
| 04 Nov 2025 | Solicitors | Telephone and email | sent for review and draft Orders for FP161 Follow up email sent with referral | Wait and keep drafting Called referred number Awaiting responses |
| 04 Nov 2025 | Law firm | Telephone | Called as per instructions; Follow up call: still waiting for a response from official channel for information requested | Wait for any further information; Continue to draft documents pertaining to N161 application; and FP161 application |
| 05 Nov 2025 | Family Division of High Court | Email with evidence of ongoing issues, advices to date and complexities | Advised to make application to Court of Appeal Civil Division and sent link to e filing account Set up account successfully | Continued to attempt to gain representation from previously contacted solicitors; Contacted organisations for further assistance with new information (ie Citizens Advice etc) Started application N161 as per Guidance Notes |
| 05 Nov 2025 | Pro Bono Legal Advice | Via email to update on previous enquiry To make new enquiry and link to enquiries | Further referrals | Called / contacted recommended firms not previously contacted and previously contact, Awaiting advice |
| 05 Nov 2025 | Solicitors, Bindmanns LLP, Goodman Ray, | Some firms contacted today Email, telephone, online | Further referrals Inconclusive Unable to assist; or Still waiting responses | |
| 05 Dec 2025 | HMCT e-filing service | Via Website | Ongoing | Ongoing |
| 05 Dec 2025 | Lawyer | Callback with additional details requested | Callback with additional details requested Awaiting response | |
| 06 Dec 2025 | HMCT e-filing service | Confirmation of Application approval and | ||
| 06 Dec 2025 | Solicitors | Email response to enquiry | Referrals | Contact referrals that haven’t been contacted |
| 06 Jan 2026 | Lawyers | Email response to follow up enquiry | Suggested referrals | Contact referrals that haven’t been contacted |
| 06 Jan 2026 | Pro Bono Lawyers | Follow up to previous email from Family Triage | Form sent and returned | Await response and work on requested documents from HMCT |
| 07 Jan 2026 | Lawyers | Follow up, unable to help | Reply email | Work on HMCT |
| 07 Jan 2026 | Barristers | Online, email follow up and phone call | Unable to help | Response to HMCT |
| 07 AUG 2026 | Barristers | Online via portal; also direct email | Unable to help | Continue with HMCT and await 10:00am appointment by phone for |
| 07 AUG 2026 | DA charity | Email via previous email address found from previous NMO | ||
| 07 AUG 2026 | Lawyers | Online portal | Email, unable to help | Continue on HMCT documents |
| 07 AUG 2026 | Solicitors | Email - new enquiry with updated information | ||
| 07 AUG 2026 | Lawyers | Online portal | Email to call to make appointment for fee quote | |
| 07 AUG 2026 | Solicitors | Online / website enquiry | ||
| 07 AUG 2026 | Domestic Abuse Commissioner | Auto Response | ||
| 07 AUG 2026 | Legal Centre | Updated with circumstances in case help was now possible | Response with further potential representation | |
| 07 AUG 2026 | DA charity | Phone call and email; | Still unable to assist; signposted | Have already contacted signposted services |
| 08 AUG 2026 | Solicitors | Online portal | Phone appointment | Reiterated opinion that I require a public child law (firm) solicitor; |
| 08 AUG 2026 | Law Society Search (with latest information/advise) | Search specific parameters based on new information | Email appropriate persons | |
| 08 AUG 2026 | Solicitors | Email query | No response (12 August) | |
| 08 AUG 2026 | Pro Bono Law Centre | Email and phone call | Suggestion to take action against local Authority; too complex for DH | Continue seeking legal advice |
| 08 AUG 2026 | Lawyers | Online and email with most recent update | ||
| 09 AUG 2026 | Lawyers | Email, and phone appointment following week tbc | ||
| 09 AUG 2026 | HMCT, online | Reviewing resources relating to compliance and procedure in RCJ | ||
| 11 AUG 2026 | Barrister | Follow up re advice received | Advice still conflicting due to lack of procedure by local authority | Article 6(1) ECHR |
| 11 AUG 2026 | Lawyers | Advised again to make Human Rights Claim against LA; signposted | Signposted; | Continue on HMCT documents |
| 11 AUG 2026 | Police | Via Email | Sent copy of sealed Notice to advise upcoming potential request of BWV so as to give notice regarding any potential timeframes and evidence being destroyed | |
| 12 AUG 2026 | Solicitors | Via online enquiry | Email questionnaire to return | Continue on Skeleton Argument |
| 12 AUG 2026 | Lawyers | Telephone appointment 3pm (30 minutes); public children law matter | Advised again that once the LA is involved, it is a Public Children Law matter; will speak within firm for other recommendations | |
| 12 AUG 2026 | DA charity | Still cannot help or suggest alternative advice | ||
| 13 AUG 2026 | Lawyers | Appellant preparing SA for deadline | ||
| 14 AUG 2026 | Lawyers | follow up email with specific contacts within specific firms | Appellant to follow up | |
| 28 AUG 2026 | NWLLC | Online portal enquiry | ||
| 01 SEP 2026 | MJSS | Email enquiry | Signposted to already contacted | |
| 01-16 SEP 2026 | Continued to attempts to obtain counsel | Email, phones calls, follow up calls, | Cannot help or waiting for response | |
| 19 SEP 2026 | Barristers | Emali enquiry direct to specialist barrister | Awaiting response | |
| 19 SEP 2026 | Pro Bono Legal Advice | Online and telephone | Signposted to NWLLC and Toynbee Hall | |
| 19 SEP 2026 | Pro Bono Legal Centre | Online enquiry sent | ||
| 19 SEP 2026 | Pro Bono Legal Centre | Email enquiry sent via online portal | No response | Continue attempting to seek legal advice |
| 20 SEP 2026 | DA charity | Cannot help as criminal only | ||
| 22 OCT 2026 | Court support charity | In person 10:30am | Unable to help; advised I have done all possible | Wait for CoA |
| 22 OCT 2026 | Royal Courts of Justice | Emailed | Await response | |
| 22 OCT 2026 | Royal Courts of Justice | In person KBD | Preservation of Order made for BWV | Waiting for Order requested Monday 20 October 2025; advised it has been put before Judge |
| 22 OCT 2026 | Pro Bono Legal Centre | Online enquiry regarding delays in CoA | Awaiting response | |
| 22 OCT 2026 | Pro Bono Legal Centre | Email enquiry via online portal | Await response | Reply to email; no capacity |
