Applied to court now, can I change solicitors now?

I expect you feel like me....out of your depth and not knowing how this stuff works?
I have paid my solicitor a year and a halfs wages so far. When the Barrister thing came about I said HOW MUCH? but was definitely worth it. Her quote was horrendous, but I ended up paying less than the initial quote. Her bill was sent approximately 3 weeks after the event. I paid immediately.

Hi B,
Great thoughts, by you,, as always.
I will do my best to make a plan,
But feel like Jelly now,
Live in hope, Always,
Thanks Again,
N

I was a litigant in person and arranged my own barrister after extensive research.For a conference meeting I think it was in the region of £650 + vat, a full days hearing £2,000 plus vat.Others I was looking at quoted £3,500 plus vat and not sure if that included a conference meeting.As others have said get the right one and I think at the end of the day it is money well spent.I also think it depends what you are up against as I felt I had no option as my ex was armed with solicitor and a barrister on the day.

Hi crimson L,
Thanks for your reply, however, I wanted to ask, if it was OK, To pay upfront,(that is the total cost),
So is that normal practice,,?
THANKS, N

Hi Crimsonlake,
Just another query,,,,,How would you describe a Conference meeting?
Is it an hour before court? or is it a meeting to meet up with the Barrister- discuss things face to face?
Please do instruct me,,,
Thanks,N

I have had 7 hearings altogether,5 where I self represented, this included 2 FH's.
For my initial FDA I was represented by a barrister as my solicitor was on holiday. I cannot recall whether I paid up front in this instance. However I do know I was billed by the solicitor as I went along rather than a bill when all proceedings were complete. I think this depends on the solicitor and how they deal with the finances.
The barrister she hired on my behalf met with me just before the FDA on the day.
The barrister I hired myself recently met with me a couple of weeks before the FH,the meeting lasted 2-3 hours.This basically consisted of going over the contents of the Position Statement she had prepared.Hope this helps.

I have been represented by a barrister many times, and I've always been expected to pay in advance. I would say that is normal practice.

Using a barrister has some advantages besides the fact that they're specialists - namely they're working on a fixed fee so you know how much you'll be paying regardless of any overrun. For example, a barrister might charge £1200 for a half day hearing which ends up running to a full day because of delays. By contrast, a solicitor might be charging £200 per hour for that overrun. I've had several hearings where, as it turned out, a barrister would have been cheaper.

A conference could go a number of ways. If your case is complex it might be a separate meeting several days/weeks before court. The length will depend on the complexity of your case but it is informal. The barrister will have read the documents and will be preparing for court, considering what questions they need to ask in evidence etc. In this case you would typically be paying a fee for the conference and a separate fee for representation.

The second type of conference would be meeting on the day of the hearing shortly before it is due to start. This is normally included in the price of representation. There's less time to discuss matters but if your case is relatively complex or if affordability is an issue then this might be more appropriate.

Best wishes
U6