my son has been accussed of abusing afriend 10 years ago

[anxiousmum]

have managed to speak to sol today and armed with all you wonderful people's info managed to get him to arrange a conference with the barrister for early next week.
He didn't think there was any point initially because my son will not be taking the stand?!! Any way eventually he agreed, one reason being that he thinks the police interview with my son is inadmisable due to his mental health, the barrister did not, doesn't fill me with confidence we live in somerset biggest towns either exeter or bristol.

[Rights Fighter]

So what if your lad doesn't take the stand? He is still entitled (as are you his parents) to have confidence in your son's defence team. He is still entitled to have a conference - at least one. W&C saw his solicitor and barrister frequently before his trial.

If you are closer to Bristol my choice would be Ian Kelcey, personally http://www.kelceyandhall.co.uk/our-p...-team-members/


In Exeter Steve Nunn http://www.nunnrickard.co.uk/solicitors.html


I would contact either and tell them that you have had very little contact with your current sols and explain about your lad's problems, it is coming up to trial and so far he has not yet met counsel, the excuse being that your lad won't be giving evidence (and why) and that this non-contact with the sols and barrister is causing you to have "no confidence" in the defence team as a whole.

I have an idea that Ian Kelcey has dealt with similar defendants. Might be worth you asking to speak to him and see what he says.

[anxiousmum]

thank you Jen as you know it's hard enough coping with mental health problems but this as well!

[Faith]

He didn't think there was any point initially because my son will not be taking the stand?!!

That is completely irrelevant!!

[largactyl1]

I just really hope that armed with the fab advice from here you can feel confidence in yr legal team and that justice will prevail for you x
Kind wishes
Jen

[Rights Fighter]

That is completely irrelevant!!

That is the point I made further up the thread. It is absolutely no excuse not to meet up with the client and his worried family.

[Faith]

That is the point I made further up the thread. It is absolutely no excuse not to meet up with the client and his worried family.

Sorry I was doing a skim-read, I see now that you've already responded to this point...and more helpfully than I did! Snikkety Snarf!

[Rights Fighter]

Soz I wasn't having a pop.

I think AM has not seen my post as she didn't respond to it which is why I mentioned it. Hope she is ok.

[lawlessone2009]

Sorry I was doing a skim-read, I see now that you've already responded to this point...and more helpfully than I did! Snikkety Snarf!

Tut tut... A SUPER Mod as well... I'm loosing confidence in you...

As far as you are concerned AM, appears that you are making some progress. This sounds good. It really shouldn't be that much work/that hard to get a meeting with your legal team. My legal team generally contacts me, although saying that I am supposedly meant to be standing trial this month or next or sometime in the future... My problem is with the prosecutors where as yours is with the actual people doing the defending initially.

Keep strong and realise that there aren't problems, only solutions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp9dc9im3-M

[anxiousmum]

Thank you RF for other legal suggestions, I am waiting to hear about a date early next week for a meeting, we have met up with the barrister once before but we need to know how he proposes to defend my son and what to expect etc now. the sol said that as it was legal aid there would not be the funds for another meeting!!! However, as I said before, armed with all the great advice from you guys I persueded him that it was necessary. If we are not happy after this then I will contact them, hopefully it won't be too late.
Do you only get justice if your rich? I hope I win the euro millions tonight!!

[fighter]

Thank you RF for other legal suggestions, I am waiting to hear about a date early next week for a meeting, we have met up with the barrister once before but we need to know how he proposes to defend my son and what to expect etc now. the sol said that as it was legal aid there would not be the funds for another meeting!!! However, as I said before, armed with all the great advice from you guys I persueded him that it was necessary. If we are not happy after this then I will contact them, hopefully it won't be too late.
Do you only get justice if your rich? I hope I win the euro millions tonight!!

Hi anxiousmom, sorry for the late welcome..but it is good that you found the forum now.. it is not that late as you feared. We are also on legal aid but we have met with the barrister more than once...about 3 times before the trial and during other preliminary hearings. I cant believe the sol can say that to you! We also won the trial even if we are on legal aid. I think you can demand to meet with the barrister again. I am sure other members will tell you a legal aid does not mean you are not given proper defense; it depends majorly on how good the solicitor and how proactive you are also in chasing them. Sending you lots of courage and strength vibes!

[Rights Fighter]

W&C's trial was publicly funded and he saw counsel and his sol several times prior to trial.

It sounds like they are not bothered about their reputation - just getting clients through the door and doing as little as possible.

I really do suggest that you contact one of the sols I recommended to ask if they think they would consider applying to take over at this late stage as this is really unacceptable from current sols.

[lawlessone2009]

W&C's trial was publicly funded and he saw counsel and his sol several times prior to trial.

It sounds like they are not bothered about their reputation - just getting clients through the door and doing as little as possible.

I really do suggest that you contact one of the sols I recommended to ask if they think they would consider applying to take over at this late stage as this is really unacceptable from current sols.

I agree.

It's not even as if there would potentially be a lot of work involved in transferring it as your current team appear to have done bugger all.

Obviously whomever took it on would have themselves a bit of chaos but a competent legal team would move quickly and decisively. Your boy needs every chance he can to properly defended and either the trial thwarted or a Not Guilty returned.

I'm on legal aid and I've met my legal team several times now and I don't even have a trial date! They arrange to meet me more often than I personally would like!!!!!!!

[anxiousmum]

sols have made an appointment for my son to talk with his barrister and sol on tues. I am not allowed to go because I am a potential witness, a trusted friend is going as the appropriate adult she is a very savvy experienced psychiatric nurse but I am concerned as all the psychiatric reports have said that he is unable to instuct his legal team and they are correct he does not understand what is going on.
Is this normal that I am not allowed to be present?

[Faith]

Yes, potential witnesses are not allowed in legal meetings with the barrister