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Laila Bhunnoo , Duncan Lewis , Child Care Solicitor , Shepherds Bush

Laila Bhunnoo

Director & Solicitor

Contact Information

Profile / Experience

Awards and Recommendations for Laila Bhunnoo
Legal 500

Laila is a Recommended Lawyer in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 for her Family work across London.

Legal 500 2024 Edition.
Family / London

Laila is a Recommended Lawyer in the 2022 edition of The Legal 500.

Legal 500 2022 Edition.
Family / London

Laila is a Recommended Lawyer in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500.

Legal 500 2021 Edition.
Family / London

Laila Bhunnoo is a Recognised Practitioner in the 2020 edition of Chambers and Partners UK.

Chambers UK Individual 2020 Edition.
Children: Public Law Matters / London (firms)

Laila is a Recommended Lawyer in the 2020 edition of The Legal 500.

Legal 500 2019 Edition.
Private Client: Family / London

"...very knowledgeable and organised..."

Legal 500 2019 Edition.
Family / London

Laila Bhunnoo is a Recognised Practitioner in the 2019 editon of Chambers and Partners UK for her work in Children: Public Law Matters, London firms.

Chambers UK Individual 2019 Edition.
Child Care / London

Chambers UK recommends Laila as a 'Noted Practitioner' for her Children Public Law work throughout London

Chambers UK Individual 2018 Edition.
Children: Public Law Matters / London

"Laila Bhunnoo is a calm lawyer who stays on top of her workload."

Legal 500 2017 Edition.
Family / London

Further, for the last five years consecutively, Laila has been ranked in The Legal 500 UK Edition for her expertise in childcare matters. Legal 500 has described her as providing ‘excellent representation of parents and children in care proceedings’ and b

Legal 500 2016 Edition.
Family / London
I am a Solicitor-Advocate and a Director in the Childcare department. I represent parents, family members, children’s guardians and children in all Children Act matters.

My practice covers:
  • Emergency Protection Orders;
  • Care Orders;
  • Supervision Orders;
  • Forced Marriage Protection Orders and FGM Orders.
Further, my work also covers same sex relationship issues, which arise specific to alternative families. I have a wide practice assisting publicly funded clients throughout London. I often advise and assist privately funded clients from the company’s central London office.

I have significant experience representing vulnerable teenagers, often separately from their Guardian when a conflict has arisen. I develop a relationship with them as sometimes I am the only adult who they are able to trust. Working to build trust with young people takes time, which I am always happy to give as the court process can be a challenging one.

I am featured in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. The legal directories describe me as providing ‘excellent representation of parents and children in care proceedings’ and being ‘compassionate and insightful’.

I am a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel as a Children Representative and I am an experienced advocate with Higher Rights of Audience, which entitles me to represent my clients at all levels of Courts. I am repeatedly the ‘solicitor of choice’ for Children Guardians in connection with Rule 16.4 appointments. I am often appointed in culturally complex cases being one of the few Asian specialists in this area.

I was awarded Employer of the Year by the National Mentoring Consortium for my work with the University of Westminster law students; mentoring BME university students to help them achieve a better understanding of the work place and developing their skills through increasing confidence in their own abilities.

Family
I am a Solicitor-Advocate and a Director in the Family department. I represent parents, family members, children’s guardians and children in all Children Act matters.

My practice covers:
  • Child Arrangement Orders
  • Private Law Disputes
  • Pre Proceedings
Further, my work also covers same sex relationship issues, which arise specific to alternative families. I have a wide practice assisting publicly funded clients throughout London. I often advise and assist privately funded clients from the company’s central London office.

I am often appointed as the Child's Solicitor in Rule 16.4 proceedings where the child is made a party to the private law proceedings.

I am featured in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. The legal directories describe me as providing ‘excellent representation of parents and children in care proceedings’ and being ‘compassionate and insightful’.

I am a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel as a Children Representative and I am an experienced advocate with Higher Rights of Audience, which entitles me to represent my clients at all levels of Courts. I am repeatedly the ‘solicitor of choice’ for Children Guardians in connection with Rule 16.4 appointments. I am often appointed in culturally complex cases being one of the few Asian specialists in this area.

I was awarded Employer of the Year by the National Mentoring Consortium for my work with the University of Westminster law students; mentoring BME university students to help them achieve a better understanding of the work place and developing their skills through increasing confidence in their own abilities.

Child Care
I am a Solicitor-Advocate and a Director in the Childcare department. I represent parents, family members, children’s guardians and children in all Children Act matters.

My practice covers:
  • Deprivation of Liberty Orders
  • Secure Accommodation Orders
  • Forced Marriage Protection Orders and FGM Orders
I have a wide practice assisting publicly funded clients throughout London. I often advise and assist privately funded clients from the company’s central London office.

I have significant experience representing vulnerable teenagers, often separately from their Guardian when a conflict has arisen. I develop a relationship with them as sometimes I am the only adult who they are able to trust. Working to build trust with young people takes time, which I am always happy to give as the court process can be a challenging one.

I am featured in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. The legal directories describe me as providing ‘excellent representation of parents and children in care proceedings’ and being ‘compassionate and insightful’.

I am a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel as a Children Representative and I am an experienced advocate with Higher Rights of Audience, which entitles me to represent my clients at all levels of Courts. I am repeatedly the ‘solicitor of choice’ for Children Guardians in connection with Rule 16.4 appointments. I am often appointed in culturally complex cases being one of the few Asian specialists in this area.

I was awarded Employer of the Year by the National Mentoring Consortium for my work with the University of Westminster law students; mentoring BME university students to help them achieve a better understanding of the work place and developing their skills through increasing confidence in their own abilities.



Education

  • The College of Law, Lancaster Gate (1992 - 1993)
  • Law Society Finals
  • LLB (Hons) at University of Westminster (1989 – 1992)(2:1)

Career

  • Director at Duncan Lewis Solicitors (October 2004)
  • Solicitor – Advocate/Director at Duncan Lewis Solicitors (June 2003 – Present)
  • Admitted as a Solicitor (September 1997)

Testimonials

  • "I have worked with Laila as a children’s Guardian. Not only does Lalia have an in-depth knowledge of the law she is a powerful advocate and possesses facilitation skills which combine to serve the children she represents extremely well. What makes her exceptional is her willingness to go the extra mile. In a recent case where she acted for the child, she argued for the paternal grandmother who was unrepresented, to have a second appointment with a solicitor. In order to obtain legal advice on the financial assessment and support plan that was filled the night before the final hearing and had not reached the grandmother. This was supported by the Judge and the hearing was relisted. Laila’s intervention greatly benefited the child who deserved a well thought support package and clear wording on the contact arrangements. The grandmother expressed to me how grateful she was for Laila’s intervention and thoughtfulness. On the same case she addressed the court on the mother’s bravery in recognising her young child’s needs in agreeing to the Special Guardianship Order. Laila has the ability while maintaining her professional role and responsibilities to show genuine human thoughtfulness." - Ann Haigh, Children’s Guardian, Former Chair of NAGALRO

  • "Laila is gracious calm, focused on helping to ensure the information required to make informed decisions is in front of the court. Laila understands the need to see child within the wider context of the parties represented in public law proceedings and the needs of parents to have an effective voice as well as placing the child at the forefront when representing children’s guardians. Laila is vocal about the rights of individuals and the role of female lawyers in having an effective role within the legal framework and is a strong advocate when representing a case in court. Laila is easy to work with. She is calm, and listener and will approach each case from an individual perspective and cares passionately about her role within difficult and challenging work and decision making. Laila has an easy working relationship, always ready to discuss a case, review the way forward, reflect upon the decision making and in a timely manner. She is a pleasure to work with." - Guardian, CAFCASS

  • "Laila combines an excellent working knowledge of the law with an empathetic ability to understand the needs of clients. She is a strong advocate in court and a wise adviser outside of court. This has been of particular benefit with regard to complex cases. One can depend on her ability to move cases forward towards positive outcomes with a pragmatic and realistic approach which focuses on the needs of children. She has particular skills in communicating with children and young people, and clients who have specific needs. She is amongst the best family solicitors I have worked with."

  • "I find working with Laila extremely easy, with a good understanding of what the role of the Guardian is and how to work collaboratively. She is efficient, accessible and clear in analysing the issues in a case and the management of it. She is an excellent advocate in court and manages the differing positions of the parties with clarity - a real pleasure to work with."

  • I have worked with Laila over a number of years and would always recommend her highly as someone who is approachable, immensely professional and hugely experienced. Laila is supportive in her engagement with colleagues and clients alike. She works hard and in a very child-centred way to get the best possible outcomes for the children and families that we work with."

  • "Laila is a strong advocate for children and young people and works skilfully with children from different communities. She is very professional and I feel confident in instructing her in the full range of applications in children’s cases."

  • Thanks for all your hard work on behalf of the children, I really appreciated your clarity, confidence and experience, as well as your passionately child focused approach."

Awards

  • Recommended Lawyer - The Legal 500 UK, (2024, 2022 - 2019 & 2017)
  • Recognised Practitioner - Chambers and Partners UK, (2019 & 2016) - Children: Public Law Matters

Membership & Accreditations

  • Law Society’s Children Panel
  • Association of Lawyers for Children

Interests

  • Meditation Teacher (since February 2011)
  • Yoga Teacher (Hot Yoga and Yin Yoga) (since July 2019)
  • Charitable events
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