Areas of Practice
Children (Private)
Working out what is best for the children when a relationship or marriage ends can be difficult for all parties involved.
Key decisions may have to be made about where the children live, how much time they should spend with each parent, what contact they should have with wider family such as grandparents, which school should they should attend and whether they should travel internationally to particular countries or move permanently abroad.
Matters may be complicated further if a child has specific needs or a parent has existing issues which may result in supervised or limited time with the children. Any decisions made may need to be revisited on a regular basis as the children grow up and their needs evolve.
If a child is removed from your care and taken abroad without your permission this can be unlawful and requires urgent action to ensure the safe and prompt return of the child.
I am regularly briefed to appear at a wide range of private law matters involving intractable contact disputes, parental alienation, complex allegations of physical and sexual abuse, and also cases with an international element.
I can act at all stages of section 8 applications (child arrangements, prohibited steps, specific issues), including at fact-finding hearings and final hearings, as well as appeals.
I am also well positioned to advise on the best options for your child’s particular circumstances. Every family is unique: each requires a bespoke approach to ensure that the children’s best interests are promoted, their well-being is considered and their various needs are met.
Family Finance and Property
Relationship breakdown is inevitably stressful, particularly where complex financial situations are involved.
Negotiating a financial settlement is rarely straightforward: litigating a case almost never is. I take a straightforward, realistic and commercial approach to financial and property issues.
I am committed to achieving the best outcome for my clients and am well versed in non-court dispute resolution, including settling cases in, and away, from the Courts. I also have experience in negotiating, drafting and disputing financial agreements (pre and post nups).
The cases I deal with also involve more complicated issues concerning business assets, pensions, family inheritances and gifts, bankruptcy, tax issues and ‘concealed’ assets.
My approach is tailored to each individual case. I deliver commercial, objective and practical advice to enable you to make the right decision. Clients benefit from my approachability, understanding and realistic perspective.
International Family Law
Ever-increasing international nature of families and family life. The UK, and London, in particular, plays host to many families with overseas connections, where additional legal and practical considerations need careful consideration.
My international experience includes cases acting for clients in family law jurisdiction / forum disputes, cases with cross-border and foreign asset disclosure and enforcement issues, international relocation and child abduction cases and public children cases with an international dimension, including cases where a child
Children (Public)
Care proceedings are initiated by a local authority to obtain parental responsibility and/or other legal orders for a child they believe is at risk. A child may be considered at risk if there are concerns that they are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant emotional or physical harm, neglect, or are beyond the control of their parents.
I am regularly instructed across all areas of public children ‘care’ proceedings in cases involving chronic neglect, substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic, sexual, physical abuse and injury, Deprivation of Liberty (DOLS) and cases with international dimensions, including the international movement/placement of children and international adoption.
I accept instructions from local authorities, parents, children’s guardians and intervenors in all circumstances where social services become involved in children's lives. I am often called upon to draft ‘threshold’ documents, and advise on findings sought, and also to review evidence.
I have appeared at all stages of public law hearings, from case management, to fact-finding hearings and up to and including final hearings and the Court of Appeal.
Domestic Abuse & Injunctions
I regularly accept instructions across the full range of Family Law Act 1996 applications, including non-molestation orders, occupation orders and transfer of tenancy applications.
I have extensive experience in contentious proceedings involving allegations of serious domestic abuse, including in cases where allegations are linked to ongoing or imminent Children Act 1989 proceedings.
Cohabitation
If two people live together without getting married, their separation could lead to a range of complex legal issues, depending on their circumstances.
If they have children, the parents will need to decide on future living arrangements for the children, as well as address other important matters like education, religion, and general welfare. They will also need to agree on, or seek court orders for, financial support for the children.
If there are no children, each person typically retains the assets and income held solely in their name, with no ongoing financial obligations to the other. This differs significantly from divorce. Cohabiting couples do not gain the right to claim financial support or property from one another, regardless of how long they have lived together.
Jointly held assets are generally divided based on legal ownership. However, in certain situations, one party may argue for a larger share than what the legal ownership indicates. Such cases often involve disputes over the home, such as:
• When one person has contributed significant funds to the property that are not reflected in the legal ownership.
• When one person has promised the other an ownership interest in the property but fails to fulfil that promise, causing the other to act to their detriment.
This area of law is highly complex and involves The Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, usually called "TLATA" or "TOLATA". A thorough analysis of the case’s details is crucial to understanding each person’s legal rights.