Annika’s Diary # 7

I have continued working in a number of areas including Non Molestation Order applications, Occupation Order applications, and Public and Private Law Children applications from Lewis Rodgers offices in Winsford and Macclesfield, Cheshire.

As my Training Contract has progressed I have encountered various forms of new information. This includes: historical records and allegations, agreements regarding maintenance payments, Undertakings, Psychologist Reports, DNA Results and Alcohol Testing Results.  I also encountered service of documents via text message; this is very rare and was only acceptable in the relevant case due to the previous issues with service. As a result of these problems the District Judge Ordered that service via text message would be acceptable.

I have also visited court. I attended court to represent a client on an application for a Non Molestation Order under the Family Law Act 1996. While at the court I took instructions from my client. I then went before the District Judge and made the application on behalf of my client. I then left the Courtroom to draft a Non Molestation Order reflecting the discussions I had had with the District Judge and the directions that he gave. I then informed my client of all the necessary information surrounding a Non Molestation Order including potential breaches, and the fact that breaching a Non Molestation Order is an offence which an individual may be arrested for committing. The Order that was granted by the District Judge had the time of the next hearing missing; therefore I learnt that I could ask the Court to amend the Order under the ‘Slip Rule’.

I have therefore drafted numerous documents for the Court, Legal Services Commission and of course for clients. These include; Draft Orders, Consent Orders, Non Molestation Orders Position Statements, Form A, D8 and D8A, FL401, App 8 Forms, APP 3 Forms, APP 5 Forms, POA1 Forms, L31 Forms, Means 1, Means 1 A, Means 2 and L31 Forms. I have also completed another Skeleton Argument.