Michele has in her 28 years in chambers developed a dedicated and specialist practice in disputes concerning children, which has been recognised in the legal directories.
Michele has established in more recent years an exclusive practice in private children cases. She has a long established and well-deserved reputation as one of the country’s leading juniors in this field of private children work. With this wealth of background Michele qualified in 2017 as an Arbitrator in private law children cases.
She combines her particular expertise with an accessible and common sense approach and an innate sensitivity to the individual issues and emotions arising in each case.
She has a proven ability to deal with high conflict issues in a calm and professional manner whilst devoting considerable energy to her individual client’s case.
She will assist clients with resolving their differences through clear advice and robust negotiation. She has a wealth of experience to identify the resources available to help the client though out the progress of the proceedings.
In those cases where it is necessary to pursue a contested hearing she proves to be a focused and fearless advocate in Court.
Her main area of practice is private law applications. She has an established practice in handling serious fact finding issues including cases of allegations of alienation, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, physical harm to children and emotional abuse both to children and adults.
She has a particular strength in representing family members (whether parents, grandparents, children or other extended family members) at all levels of court. The areas she covers include:
- Child arrangement orders and this includes intractable and high conflict disputes.
- Applications for leave to remove children from the jurisdiction.
- Applications for internal relocation with children.
- Specific issues relating to education, medical, religion and change of name.
- Issues of substance or alcohol misuse and its impact on care of a child.
- Issues of mental health and its impact on care of a child.
For 20 years plus Michele also represented local authorities, parents and guardians in public law cases. She has a background of appearing in public law cases involving very serious issues of non-accidental injury and death of children, complex medical issues and adoption. Michele uses this experience to represent her private law clients with a determination to achieve the best possible outcome for them.
Recommendations
“Simply the best advocate on private children’s law I have ever come across.” “Michele’s work is great. She is a very strong advocate, good in cross-examination, where she uses subtlety when required.”
Chambers UK 2023
“Michele is always well prepared and accessible to the client. She is concise with her advice and a strong advocate. She is well-respected by the judiciary and is a force to be reckoned with in any court hearing.”
Legal 500 2023
“She is an extraordinary individual who not only knows her area of law inside and out, but she is able to advise the clients pragmatically and practically whilst retaining compassion and understanding. She is an exceptional advocate and is meticulously prepared.”
Legal 500 2022
“She's the crème de la crème. She's just wonderful.” “Michele is our number-one choice for all complex Children Act cases. Her knowledge and expertise are second to none. She is also a formidable advocate and highly impressive in court.” “When I tell someone I have Michele on a case there's an audible intake of breath. She has that kind of gravitas."
Chambers UK 2022
“She is absolutely outstanding; you cannot fault her.” “There is no one better at her level in terms of private children law cases. Michele’s ability and success rate are phenomenal and she is quite simply a superstar in the arena of children law.”
Chambers UK 2021
“Formidable during cross-examination, with an eye for detail that ensures no stone is left unturned.”
Legal 500 2021
“She met all my expectations and demonstrated excellent negotiating skills and a keen eye for details.” “Highly recommended for private law children act proceedings. She knows the law, is firm but fair in court, and is great with clients.”
Chambers UK 2020
“Her knowledge and skill in parental alienation cases is unparalleled.”
Legal 500 2020
Notable Cases
BCC v AG and Others [2009] EWHC 3720 (fam) [2010] 2 FLR 580
Re T (Children placement order) [2008] EWCA 248 [2008] 1 FLR 1721
A County Council v A Mother, A Father and XY and Z [2005] EWHC 31 {2005] 2 FLR 129
Memberships
Member of Lincoln’s Inn.
Member of the Midland Circuit.
Member of the West Midlands Family Bar Association.
Member of the Family Bar Association.
Member of the Association of Lawyers for Children.
Member of Resolution.
A Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
