While they have a lawyer who is on the Children's Panel, he advised that he didn't think it would be necessary for him to attend Court on that occasion, although he would, if required.
To their surprise, my daughter and s-i-l were told by Children's Services that they had appointed a lawyer to represent them, free of charge. CS in the county where they live have been supportive of this application to adopt, and have been much more helpful than CS in the county where the SGO was placed
The judge seemed to think the case is straight forward and has assigned the following next steps and timelines:
·
- Annex A Report to be filed no later than 4pm on 26th January 2016.
· Cafcass Reporting Officer report to be filed no later than 4pm on 12th February 2016.
· Final Hearing and Celebration booked for 10am on 11th March 2016.