SOS Divorce Magazine UK 30 March 2011
March 30, 2011 by Suzy
SOS has moved to Guildford!
New dates for your diary: 16 June & 22 September
SOS Suzy on the Channel 5 Vanessa Show
We have a signed copy to give away of Sugar Daddy Diaries: When a Fantasy Became an Obsession.
Tell the author Helen Croydon why you would like a copy at sugardaddy@helencroydon.com.
Information for divorce and breakup
Inspiration for Starting Over
Inspiration
With the changes in legal aid funding soon upon is, many more people may find themselves representing themselves in court. We have started a ‘Litigant in Person’ blog to share experiences and to call for change.
Read the first post of this new blog here: In the Divorce Court – Without a Lawyer
A child’s experience of having to choose between divorcing parents in court: a new blog that invites children to contribute ‘their story’: Family Law: A young person’s viewpoint
Information
Grandparents can get divorced too. And even if it is their children who are divorcing, the threat of losing contact with grandchildren can be a terrible blow to the whole family, should healthy relationships break down.
Some useful resources for grandparents here……
Workshops, Courses & Events
Sunday 10 April Stepping forward: yoga workshop in Twickenham 11am – 5pm £50
A SUNDAY RESTORATIVE WORKSHOP for anyone in the process of relationship breakdown
Dealing With Divorce have a range of information and wellbeing courses including yoga workshops…….
Loving the difference: Relationship Myth Busting
To find out more about Marina Pearson and get instant access to her FREE Relationship myth busting report go to
www.soulconnectiontrainings.com/freereport
Or book into the April workshop here…..
Hot News
SOS Suzy on the Channel 5 Vanessa Show
Never been called a “break up expert” before! Thanks so much to Vanessa for having me on the show.
Competition!
We have a signed copy to give away of Sugar Daddy Diaries: When a Fantasy Became an Obsession.
Email a sentence as to why you would like to read the book, and the best one gets a signed copy for free!”
Send your emails to sugardaddy@helencroydon.com
A new town, a new venue!
Holiday Inn Guildford: Thursday 6.30pm to 9.30pm 16 June 2011
Book a private consultation at our free powwows now
I am happy to chat about which free 1-1 powwows would benefit you and get you booked in while spaces are still available – give me (Suzy) a call on 07525 059 634
Book your free place at our financial, legal & wellbeing advice powwows by clicking here…..
Full exhibitor list: See our growing list of exhibitors here……
Venue: 18:30 – 21:30 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford GU2 7XZ
How do I get there? Click here…..
Useful links
SOSvillage
www.sosvillage.org
All the things you need to know about breaking up and starting over in one SOS
Useful Information
Honest Communication
Personal Transformation
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In the divorce court – without a lawyer
March 30, 2011 by Suzy
Sophie’s recent court case experience……
I can only describe being a Litigant in Person as a fast track to madness ! Not only is the system designed to promote elitism through it’s use of antiquated language and procedural nonsense and thereby exclude the lay person, it also denies the existence of the very real requirements of the litigant in person and therefore, their need for assistance from the Court… unelected civil servants.
The Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and the Family Proceedings Rules (FPR) are supposedly there to protect and ensure that the conduct of proceedings between parties is on an “equal footing”. This is manifestly not the case.
My personal experience of the Court’s tolerance towards litigants in person has been zero. My experience of the Court’s censure of my position has been illuminating. The Court refuses to acknowledge any lack of procedural knowledge and positively discriminates for the bar.
Counsel for the other side can be bellicose; they can barrack, bully and hijack proceedings with latent but full approval.
Counsel can overrun the Application with endless waffle, chitchat and prevarication in order to secure adjournment of a hearing which is injurious to their client’s position …
Counsel are given license to snort, shuffle, snigger, smirk and behave like an ADD five year old..
However, the litigant in person dare not even roll their eyes at Counsel’s submissions, for fear of reprisal from the Court.
In short, I do not believe that the role of litigant in person is one to be taken lightly. Invariably it is a forced position due to financial constraints. Invariably but particularly, this role is taken by women.
I would argue that the only probable litigation role, taken on by most people is that of a party to divorce. Statistics bear out the fact that it is usually the woman who is left to represent herself once the man’s income has been withdrawn.
The Family Procedure Rules are biased in favour of the income earner. In 2011, this is statistically still nearly always the man. Women now stand to lose even more.
The new rules governing public funding will inevitably mean that even fewer women and children can afford the protection of the club that is the legal profession.
The right to legal representation has been withdrawn from the most vulnerable. The rule that might is right has been reinforced.
The poor get the law… only the rich can afford justice.
Sophie Elliot
Scott’s experience……
I am a wedding photographer and have an understanding of how making the right choice of photographer can be so rewarding.
Similarly, I have met brides who feel so disappointed with themselves when their photographer did not fulfill his promised commitments.
I had a similar experience to this in choosing to act as a litigant in person. My solicitors and barristers were very careful to promise me nothing and yet still under deliver. A neat trick!
My recollection of representing myself in court was one of great reward as I retrieved responsibility for my circumstances, took control of events, was consequently directly responsible for any success or failure in the environment, thus making the outcomes easier to accept.
And of course, my costs went through the floor.
Nice.
For anyone forced into court because their spouse refuses to try mediation or collaborative law, please contact suzy@startingovershow.co.uk so that I can add your questions and personal experiences to this blog.
Check out my new Divorcing For Blondes website: because when it comes to the law, we’re all a ‘bit blonde’. www.divorcingforblondes.co.uk.
Mediators & Divorce Psychics – in Guildford!
March 23, 2011 by Suzy
Guildford has been called the “Divorce capital of the country” according to Liberal Democrat Pauline Searle, in an interview with the Daily Mail in 2007. Now in 2011, Guildford is fittingly one of the first locations for the UK’s only ‘divorce fairs’ – Starting Over from Divorce Road Shows – to become established as a regular resource for local people, taking place 4 times a year at the Holiday Inn Guildford.
As the Government actively encourages divorcing couples to investigate mediation as a way through divorce, the Guildford Starting Over Show will bring visitors face to face with local mediators and collaborative lawyers – both professions dedicated to non-adversarial routes through divorce. But the event will also include a holistic range of exhibitors including a health club, a photographer of ‘blended families’, and the Mystic Housewife who’s new monthly ‘Psychic Divorce Horoscope‘ blog has just been launched on the www.startingovershow.com website.
“The Starting Over Shows provide a whole new alternative to the commercialisation of divorce, something that is taking off on a local basis and the like of which has never been seen before in the UK – or abroad” explains Suzy Miller, creator and producer of these resource-based events. “Visitors learn about non-adversarial approaches to divorce but also have access to life coaches and business start-up opportunities. At the recent SOS events in Farnham, local Citizen’s Advice Bureaus and GP surgeries made the SOS flyers and free code for tickets available to people who are going through divorce or family breakup because they recognised what a valuable service these events are providing to the local community.”
Local independent radio station Eagle Radio, part of the UKRD group who recently won the Sunday Times “100 Best Companies to work for” accolade, are keen that these events become a regular feature of Guildford life. “As Surrey and Hampshire`s local radio station, Eagle Radio is supportive of any new initiatives that make a real difference to our listeners”, says Eagle Radio MD Paul Marcus. “We support the starting over show as it is run with integrity, style and is genuinely relevant to people finding themselves in this situation.”
SOS is collaborating with the Ministry of Justice and educating people about the role of mediation through The Mediation Specialists, and also introducing people to collaborative lawyers from the Guildford firm Barlow Robbins – who keep you out of court. Just as important, they are helping people to deal with the pain and confusion of family break-up. The Guildford Starting Over Show events are sponsored by the local Collaborative Family Law Group.
“Divorce Fairs” started in Europe and the Starting Over Show was the first similar event in the UK to support people going through divorce and break up – but in a very different way. Unlike the first ever divorce fair held in Austria, SOS does not have any Private Detectives or DNA testers exhibiting, but instead actively promote a non-combative approach to breakup.
“It’s all about asking different questions.” Suzy explains. “Instead of ‘what will I get from my divorce settlement’ a better question is: ‘will we be swopping the kids over at motorway service stations for the next 10 years because it’s neutral ground? Instead of divorce parties and t-shirts, divorcing couples have the opportunity to learn all the skills they failed to learn when married – like communication skills, focusing on a positive future, letting go of the past, using this painful time as a catalyst for amazing change.”
Free legal, financial and wellbeing advice at The Holiday Inn, 16 June 2011 & 22 September 2011. A holistic approach to divorce & break up. www.startingovershow.co.uk
Tickets available here now! (paste this link into your browser)
http://www.divorceredundancybereavement.org/buy-a-ticket
END
Suzy Miller
07525 059 634
Case studies and expert comments from ‘divorce professionals’ available on request.
Relevant links:
http://www.startingovershow.co.uk/index.php/category/psychic-divorce-horoscope/
Psychic Divorce Horoscope March-April 2011 by The Mystic Housewife
March 23, 2011 by Suzy
Mercury retrograde on 29 March till 23 April, brings delays in communications and travel. Full Moon 19 March. New Moon 3 April. Full Moon 18 April.
Capricorn 23 December-20 January: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep focussed on the bigger picture. You’re half-way there.
Aquarius 21 January-19 February:You will often find yourself looking out of the window, drifting off to more exotic locations. No harm in dreaming now and again, as long as you get the tasks in hand done too.
Pisces 20 February-20 March: Pisces is the most psychic sign. Go with your gut instinct. Listen to that small voice inside and you can’t go wrong.
Aries 21 March-20 April: You are going to burn out if you keep going at this same pace. Take a step back and regroup for a moment. You will achieve much more.
Taurus 21 April-21 May: There’s no other way of saying this – JFDI. You know what you have to do. If you are looking for new love, during April you definitely have a spring in your step.
Gemini 22 May-21June: Its ok, the worst is behind you now. Hang in there.
Cancer 22 June-22 July: You need to concentrate on pressing family issues over the next few weeks. It won’t be easy, but once you make a start, it will become easier.
Leo 23 July-23 August: You remember those new year health and fitness resolutions you made? Now is the time to get back to the gym. Look good, feel good.
Virgo 24 August-23 September: Its all in the detail. Have you checked those documents, especially your bank statements? On the plus side, your sex life hots up!
Libra 24 September-23 October: Luck is on your side. You just have to believe it.
Scorpio 24 October-22 November: Finally, your energy levels are improving, and you are finding the clarity you have been seeking.
Sagittarius 23 November-22 December: You are exhausted, take some time out. Drink more water. Spend some time outdoors, or better still, by the sea.
Jane Orr is a natural clairvoyant and healer, with a formal training in psychotherapy. Each month Jane will channel a psychic forecast for each sign.
Woman & Home April 2011
March 7, 2011 by Suzy
