My turn to vent !
Ok my turn to vent ! I think I might've talked to some of you about this or raised it before but I guess I'm just seeking a little bit of guidance on how to manage this. I had a family report cross examination request for when I was on holidays, so of course I did everything I could and I was available. They wanted me on the Tuesday so we cancelled all of our plans for the Tuesday they told me on Monday night that they didn't need me so that was a waste of day then on the Friday they wanted me again in the afternoon. We waited around all day and then at 3 pm on the Friday they said that they didn't need me. We came back and the third appearance was requested. All I said for this one was that I had a child inclusive Mediation booked so I couldn't be available at 10 o'clock but I could move for the Mediation to start at 8 o'clock and I could be ready to go by 1030 and we sent the next invoice. I got a lawyer letter saying that the judge had instructed that if I was not available at 10 o'clock there would be a warrant out for my arrest and also that she did not believe that I had any right to build for this appearance as I had built twice and they had not required me no comments about the late notice or the change of plans. I felt really shit about this but I let it go. I didn't build them and of course the day before I was not required now it's being booked in for the 11th and of course there again saying to read the instructions from the judge. First of all has anybody had this happened to them before where they've been told by the court that they cannot bill for their time? Is this even okay to do because I'm feeling really shitty about it.
I spoke to her well respected judge at an event and she believed it was completely inappropriate
I guess I'm in two mindset. I really want to send an email going through the times that I have cancelled. Say that I gave them that one but now this is going to now be hours and hours of more time that I have to set aside and I can't afford to do this without billing and I've got every right to be able to build but then I've got some people telling me that I don't want to upset the judges and I'm going to lose all of my referrals if I do
Help, give me some comments
Hey DC, you know my two cents' worth- it's in the expert evidence part of the Act, that we are paid for our time. That includes time impacted by preparation, rescheduling, etc. Shame we can't charge for the sleepless nights pre and post cross examination though!