Area of Practice - Family

Richard practises exclusively in family law. His practice encompasses private law and public law children cases and financial proceedings.

Private law

Richard has been involved in cases across a wide range of applications in private law proceedings. Cases have involved:

• Separate representation of children

• Mental health issues

• Learning disabilities

• Specific issue applications

• Prohibited steps orders

• Intractable contact disputes

• Allegations of physical and sexual abuse of children

• The prevention of applications regarding residence and contact under s. 91(14) Children Act 1989.

Richard has experience in dealing with cases with an international or immigration element. Proceedings have involved applications for leave to remove from the jurisdiction, Brussels II and jurisdiction regarding divorce.

Richard’s practice extends to injunctions and committals under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996.

Care

Richard advises and represents parents, children, intervenors and local authorities in care proceedings. He has experience in the following areas:

• Emergency protection and other urgent applications

• Section 38(6) assessments

• Split hearings

• Contact applications

• Care Orders

• Supervision Orders

• Special Guardianship

• Placement applications including placement outside the jurisdiction

• Lengthy histories of emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect

• Religious considerations and physical chastisement

Richard has also dealt with cases involving contact in adoption and freeing for adoption

Ancillary Relief

Richard is experienced in cases involving a foreign element, pensions, dissipation of assets, enforcement and all aspects of financial provision following the breakdown of a marriage.

Richard has also acquired expertise in proceedings involving:

• Financial provision for the children of unmarried couples

• Property disputes between cohabitants

• Applications under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989

• Transfers of tenancy

Richard contributes to chambers’ CPD accredited seminar programmes and bulletins on family law.

Reported Cases:

Re R (a Child) [2005] EWHC 2018 (Fam): May 5, 2005
Richmond v Ballester [2006] EWHC 352 (Fam): March 2, 2006

Memberships:

Family Law Bar Association

Human Rights Lawyers Association

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