I am an experienced Family and Childcare Solicitor and member of the Law Society's Children Panel, based at Duncan Lewis' City of London office. I also undertake work within the Luton and Bedfordshire areas. I am a Resolution trained Family Mediator (all issues).
As a solicitor I specialise in both public and private law children matters, representing children, parents, grandparents and extended family members in a wide range of matters. I have considerable experience representing parties in care proceedings where the concerns relate to domestic violence, neglect, drug and alcohol misuse and mental illness. I have also represented both parents and children in cases involving non-accidental injury and fabricated or induced illness. I also advise and undertake work in adoption matters.
I also have extensive experience in domestic violence work and in private law children matters, representing parents, grandparents and extended family members on applications for protective non-molestation orders, child arrangement orders, prohibited steps, specific issue orders and special guardianship orders. I am also regularly instructed by appointed children's guardians to represent children who have been joined as a party in the most complex private-law children matters, including in protracted and acrimonious disputes relating to contact and live with arrangements.
I work with vulnerable clients, including those with learning difficulties and mental illness and have been instructed by the Official Solicitor where the client lacks the capacity to conduct proceedings. My work also covers matters related to children with physical, mental and learning disabilities.
I started my legal career at Duncan Lewis in 2008 where I completed my training contract and qualified as a solicitor in October 2010. I returned to Duncan Lewis as a supervising Solicitor in October 2016. I have been an accredited member of the Law Society's Children Panel since 2014.
Where possible, I conduct my own advocacy in both public and private law matters.
I am a Resolution-trained Family Mediator, able to offer 'all issues' mediation regarding all types of children, finances and property disputes. Having considerable experience dealing with a wide range of family disputes through my role as a solicitor and being committed to committed to resolving family disputes fairly and amicably and with the parties and any children remaining the primary focus, where appropriate I am able to encourage and provide the opportunity for out-of-court settlement rather than litigation. I have established a sub-department within the firm, offering competitively priced family mediation to those in need and am able to facilitate sessions both remotely and in person at the firm's London office.
I am a Dispute Resolution member of Resolution.