Representing yourself in a case involving coercive control
Many of the people who contact me don't have a lawyer, or are waiting for one. You don't need a lawyer to talk to me, book a consultation, or ask for a report.
Book a consultationWhat I can help with
A consultation
One hour. We look at what you have, what it might show, and whether a report would help your case.
An expert report
An independent written opinion on whether your records show a pattern of coercive control, for a family, civil or criminal matter.
What a report is, and what it isn't
A report looks at your records as a whole: texts, emails, bank statements, police and medical records, court documents and orders, and your own account. It sets out whether they show a pattern, and how far that pattern goes.
It is independent. My duty is to the court, not to the person who hires me. If the records show a pattern, the report says so. If they don't, it says that too. That is what makes a judge take it seriously.
It isn't a custody or parenting assessment. I don't assess the other person, and I don't decide what happened. That is the judge's job.
What happens at a consultation
- You tell me where your case is and what records you have.
- We look at whether a report would help, and whether there is time before your court dates.
- You leave knowing your next step, whether or not that's a report.
What to bring
A rough list is enough: the records you have or can get, the dates they cover, and any court dates coming up. You don't need to organise it first.
If you'd like to start sorting things out, the free Organising Your Own Account workbook walks you through it. Get the free workbook
Two short self-paced courses can help too: Your Account, In Order takes you step by step to a clear, dated account, and Communicating Safely With Your Ex helps you handle messages and handovers while protecting yourself and your case.
What it costs
- Consultation: $300 for one hour. It comes off the cost of a report if one follows within 60 days.
- Report: $300 an hour. Most take 15 to 20 hours, and I give you an estimate once I've seen what's involved.
- If that puts a report out of reach, ask. Each year I take a limited number of reports at $200 an hour. There are no forms and nothing to prove.
- If you have a legal aid lawyer, ask whether legal aid can cover an expert report.
Most reports take four to six weeks. If you have a court date, tell me and I'll tell you plainly whether I can meet it.
Your safety
If someone checks your phone or email, tell me the safest way to reach you and I'll use it. The Quick exit button on this page takes you straight to a neutral site. A private window, or a device they can't reach, leaves less behind.
Help beyond this practice
I'm not a lawyer and can't give legal advice. For legal help in Ontario:
Ready to talk it through?
Send a short enquiry and I will come back to you, or book a consultation directly. It takes about a minute.
Your details
I read every enquiry myself and reply personally by email. If email is not safe for you, say so in your message and tell me the best way to reach you. Nothing sent here creates a retainer or a cost.
What you send is kept confidential, and I only ask for what I need to check for conflicts. Sending an enquiry doesn't commit you to anything.
