Barrister Profile

Public Law Children: Care Proceedings and Adoption

Rachel regularly deals with Care proceedings and is able to accept instructions on a variety of matters from any party, as well as those who do not have full party status such as intervenors or family members. Rachel has considerable experience at all stages of proceedings, from EPO to final hearing and has experience in representing parties in multi-day final hearings and Fact-Finding hearings.

Rachel is also confident in dealing with vulnerable parties. Rachel has extensive experience in representing young parents, parents with learning needs, or parents who require the Official Solicitor. Rachel often appreciates the need for sensitivity and is able to deal with that whilst addressing the issues. Rachel has previously been praised for her manner when dealing with vulnerable clients.

Rachel has experience of dealing with matters involving allegations of non-accidental injury. Rachel has experience of dealing with such matters alone, as well as being led by Silk, both as a 1^st Junior and as a 2^nd Junior.

Rachel also has experience of proceedings being heard in the High Court.

Further, Rachel regularly represents children through their Guardians within care proceedings, having received repeated instructions. She also represents children who are competent enough to be separately represented when it is necessary to separate from the Guardian.

Rachel can also represent Local Authorities and has the ability to draft thorough case summaries and thresholds if necessary. She is confident in grasping the key issues in a case in a timely manner.

Rachel has the ability to accept instructions from any party at short notice for urgent hearings such as EPO’s and ICO’s.

Aside from Care proceedings, Rachel also has experience in DOLs applications and Secure Accommodation applications.

Private Law Children: Contact and Residence disputes under the Children Act 1989

Rachel regularly represents children through their Guardians under 16.4 of the Family Procedure Rules. She has considerable experience of all stages of proceedings, from the Guardian’s first appointment through to Fact-Find and final hearing. Rachel is regularly instructed to remain on matters for continuity.

Rachel also has experiences in Appeals, having represented children through their Guardian in the High Court on appeal.

Rachel does also represent parents, either applicants or respondents in applications made under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989. These include Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders. She is able to accept instructions at all stages of dispute, from first hearings to contested final hearings, having represented some of her clients at every stage of their proceedings. Her confident and feisty attitude has left her clients requesting that Rachel represent them again.

Rachel is also able to deal with urgent applications and has successfully obtained prohibited steps orders on an urgent basis.

Domestic violence & injunctions

Rachel has a wealth of experience in dealing with applicants and respondents in Family Law Act proceedings, resulting in non-molestation orders and occupation orders. Rachel has succeeded in obtaining both non-molestation orders and occupation orders on an ‘ex-parte’ (without notice) basis. She is able to recognise and balance the effect of such orders with other concerns parties may have such as children of the family or further living arrangements.

Rachel can accept instructions at short notice and is able to handle cases at all stages, from first hearing to final hearings. She also has experience in dealing with vulnerable clients, including those with learning difficulties.

Rachel’s experience in Family Law Act proceedings has often led her to representing her clients in these proceedings and then subsequent Children Act proceedings, allowing for continuity of counsel, which Rachel recognises is important to many.