Family Barrister
Legal Services
What can I do for you?
Advice
Whether you are in the middle of ongoing court proceedings or think that a dispute is likely to go to court in future, advice can help you prepare your case well, and make sure you understand your rights and what to aim for in Court. Early advice can focus your case, bringing about a swifter resolution and saving costs in the long run.
I can read your paperwork and then meet you at my Chambers in London or Oxford, or via a video call, to advise you about what to expect in your case and the next steps you should take. If your case requires legal research I can do this for you and give you a written document setting out my findings and my opinion as to how the law affects your case.
Documents
Your documents are a key part of the presentation of your case. The Family Court relies heavily on paperwork and poorly prepared documents can seriously undermine your case. I can assist with the preparation of formal documents such as a points of claim, defence, Form E, and witness statements. I can write skeleton arguments, setting out the law that supports your case, for the Judge to read ahead of any hearings.
I am also able to write a letter for you, for example if you are contemplating legal action but think it may be possible to settle the dispute if the other side receive a letter from a lawyer.
Court Hearings
A barrister's main specialism is Court advocacy. All the advice, preparation, and paperwork that goes in to the earlier part of litigation leads up to a hearing at which your case must be shown to the Judge in its strongest light. The benefit of having expert representation on your side to present your case is enormous. I can represent you at Court. I will prepare summary documents to help the Judge quickly understand your case, I will carry out all negotiations with the other side on your behalf. I will advise you on the best way to present your case to the Court and at the final hearing I can question the witnesses and make legal arguments for you.