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Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community Feature in Law Gazette Article (28 November 2024)
Date: 28/11/2024
The Law Gazette has spotlighted the ground-breaking work of Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community (FLANC), a pioneering cross-firm initiative—spearheaded by expert family lawyers including Jenny Beck KC (Hon) from Beck Fitzgerald, Caroline Croft from Coram Chambers, and Sheena Vadher, Fauzia Mumani and Alia Lewis of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.
The family justice system, much like many societal systems, has historically been designed by neurotypical people, often overlooking the unique needs and challenges faced by the neurodivergent community. This has led to systemic barriers, breaches of rights, and in some cases, life-altering outcomes that could have been avoided with proper understanding and adjustments.
The article underscores FLANC’s three-pronged mission:
1. Mandatory training for all professionals in family law and child protection.
2. Best practice guidance to improve understanding and approach.
3. Systemic changes, including the introduction of “All About Me” documents to capture neurodivergent profiles and promote early, tailored interventions.
Notably, the Law Gazette commended FLANC’s swift progress, including the launch of its website, the inaugural conference supported by Sir Andrew McFarlane, and upcoming guidance from the Family Justice Council on supporting neurodivergent adults. The piece also celebrates FLANC’s growing influence, including its recognition at the Resolution Awards 2024.
This coverage marks another milestone in raising awareness about the urgent need for inclusivity in family law. To learn more about FLANC’s initiatives, visit their website. Read the full Law Gazette article here: Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community | Law Gazette
About the Author
Alia leads a dedicated and friendly team of Family and Child Care solicitors within Duncan Lewis specialising in representing neurodivergent individuals and their families. She works alongside Sheena Vadher and Fauzia Mumani, who are also co-founding members of FLANC, to assist clients in cases involving neurodivergence (including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Tourette Syndrome), learning difficulties, learning disabilities and special needs, in addition to assisting clients who are deaf or hearing impaired and children of deaf adults. The team’s sole focus is to advocate for the rights of neurodivergent clients and their families within Public and Private Children Law proceedings, including cases that are publicly funded.
If you require specialist support from our Autism and ADHD Family & Child Care team, please contact Alia Lewis via email at AliaL@duncanlewis.com or via telephone on 02031141193
Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Duncan Lewis Solicitors employs a team of highly skilled solicitors offering top-tier representation in 25 fields of law, and ranked as top tier by the Chambers and the Legal 500 legal guides, and as one of the top 250 law firms in the country by the Times. Duncan Lewis was crowned Law Firm of the Year at the Modern Law Awards 2023, further establishing its credentials as one of the leading law firms in the UK