Family

Wolsingham Comprehensive School, Co Durham

Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge - BA (Hons) (Cantab)

Children work

Representing parents and children in all types of private law work

Representing Local Authorities, parents and children in public law cases involving serious injuries & allegations of sexual abuse and neglect.

Particular experience:

* representing deaf & learning disabled client in long-running case, working with assistance of British Sign Language signers both in and out of court

* use of the Court of Appeal urgent appeals procedure to obtain an immediate stay of an order changing residence until leave to appeal application could be heard.

* involved in long-running & complex care proceedings concerning Roma Slovak family in which there were issues to do with language, cultural identity & the correct approach in dealing with an immigrant family very recently arrived in UK.

* clear and specific understanding of the difficulties for women in leaving relationships involving domestic violence. This has been developed through work with Women's Aid, including both management decision-making & "hands on" practical work setting up new refuge.

Called to the Bar July 1986

Appointed Recorder in 2009, sitting in Family

Member of Family Law Bar Association; Chair of Regional Committee 2008-2011; Hosted National Conference 2010 in Leeds.

Member of Association of Women Barristers

Member of Association of Women Judges

Member of Management Committee of Doncaster Women's Aid 2002-2007

Treasurer of North Eastern Circuit 2003-2007

* Re L (Interim Care Order - Power of Court) 1996 2 FLR 742 - Appeared for the Appellant in case concerning s38 of Children Act and court's powers to impose residential condition on the local authority under an interim care order

* Re C (Change of Surname) 1998 1 FLR 549 - Appeared for Respondent Father who was granted leave to change children's surname

* Re M (Threshold Criteria - Parental Concession) 1999 2 FLR 728 - Dealt with appropriateness of Court's investigating further factual issues when parents have conceded facts establishing threshold criteria

* Akhtar v Rafiq [2006] 1 FLR 27 - A case concerning disputed service of divorce petition on Wife in Pakistan. Could evidence of her knowledge of the proceedings be sufficient to satisfy the requirements for service after the event?