I joined the firm in 1997 and became a Partner at Kundert Solicitors LLP in 2003. I am the head of the Family and Care Department.
I have practiced as a childcare solicitor since 2000 after recognising that I had a passion for this area of law and gained accreditation with the Law Society as a member of the Law Society’s Children Accreditation Scheme. This is a specialist panel of solicitors who have been assessed by the Law Society as having a high skill level and ability to represent all parties. My accreditation allows me to be instructed directly by a child within care proceedings in situations where a child’s wishes are different to that of the Children’s Guardian appointed by CAFACASS to represent their interests within the proceedings.
I represent all parties within proceedings including parents, children, grandparents and other intervenors in public law cases where the Local Authority have issued an application due to concerns that a child or children are at risk of immediate harm from the care being provided to them or the child or children are said to be beyond parental control.
I have several years of experience and represent clients in complex cases including:
- Care Proceedings
- Placement Proceedings
- Adoption Proceedings
- Leave to oppose Adoption Order
- Special Guardianship Orders
- Secure Accommodation Applications
- Deprivation of Liberty Applications
- Contact applications with a Child in Care
- Discharge of Care Order Applications
I also have experience in cases which involve complex issues such as:
- Cases involving non accidental injuries
- Cases Involving sexual abuse
- Child death
- Chronic neglect
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Mental health illness
- Serious domestic violence
- Inherent jurisdiction matters
- International elements
My experience includes cases being heard at the High Court and Court of Appeal with decisions setting legal precedents including:
- Coventry City Council V C and others (2012) EWHC 2190 (Fam) Family Division- Hedley J – This case set down guidance on the use of section 20 agreements to effect post birth separation of mother and child.
- Re C (Lay Advocates) (No.2) (2020) EWHC 1762 (Fam) – Mr Justice Keehan – By way of a consent order, it was agreed that payment for lay advocates at hearings was a matter for HMCTS and that payment for lay advocates to assist with communication between the client and their solicitor out of court was, in cases benefitting from legal representation funded by civil legal aid, a matter for the Legal Aid Agency, subject to it being satisfied that it was a justifiable and reasonable disbursement in the course of the legal representation provided.
- Coventry City Council v XX & Ors [2024] EWFC 249 (B); proceedings for care and placement orders which explored the scope and remit of the expert role within such cases, and the court’s responsibility to ensure that appropriate levels of competence are met by those making such reports to the family courts.
Away from the office, I enjoy spending quality time with my family.