solicitor at FH ?

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if you HAVE to have your solicitor as well as barrister at a Final Hearing? Are there any hard and fast rules about this?

Also does your solicitor HAVE to attend any conference with the barrister? Or can you just talk to the barrister on your own?

I was told by my solicitor that I would be on my own with barrister at FDR - but in the end sol was there too ... although also dealing with another case before the court on the same afternoon. It cost me hundreds of pounds - on top of the barrister's fees and he did not do anything - in fact was hopping in and out dealing with the other case - and his post FDR summary of events does not tally with what I think happened/was offered.

Would appreciate any thoughts, experience etc.

Many thanks

Hadenoughnow

Rather rushed, but briefly a sol doesn't always attend sometimes a clerk does to assist the barrister with documents and points about the case etc.

Thanks ...

how is it decided how that happens??

Had

It depends on the man power and the complexity of the case. If it is a small partnership there often isn't a clerk or junior sol to send along where as a bigger firm will often have the staff.