Laura specialises in all aspects of family law whilst also maintaining a criminal practice of both prosecuting and defending.

Within family law, she has experience representing parents, grandparents, intervenors and the children via their guardians at all levels including the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Laura frequently represents vulnerable clients and is known for her ability to deal with cases sensitively whilst providing straightforward, easily understood advice for clients, in the most stressful and emotional of situations. Her ability to connect with clients allows them to be reassured and confident in their positions, empowering them to make decisions. She is credited for meticulous preparation and for going the extra mile and to ensure a positive outcome for clients.

Laura has extensive experience in dealing with cases of parental alienation including cases where a change of residence has been necessary to prevent emotional harm.

Laura’s expertise in criminal law has enabled her to take on complex fact finding exercises, including those with allegations of non-accidental injuries and serious sexual abuse. She has an excellent knowledge and command of detailed medical and psychological professional evidence.

With regards to private law disputes, Laura has a particular interest in cases of both domestic and international re-location and frequently appears in the High Court. She also has experience of cases involving orders for no contact and limiting parental responsibility.

Laura also continues to grow her successful practice in financial remedy cases, particularly those which rely on conduct allegations. She is instructed at all stages of financial remedy proceedings including the provision of initial advice, First Directions Appointments, Financial Dispute Resolution hearings and Final hearings.

Away from court, Laura is an active member of Lincoln’s Inn with a particular interest in access to the profession initiatives. She is a pupil supervisor and also teaches pre-call students advocacy and ethics.

Education

2014 – Northumbria University – Bar Professional Training Course
2012 – The University of Sheffield – LLB (Hons) Law (European & International)
2011 – Monash University, Melbourne, Australia – LLB (Hons) Law – Study Abroad

Scholarships

Eastham Pupillage Award – Lincoln’s Inn (2018)
Accommodation Scholarship (2018-2019)

Memberships

• Lincoln’s Inn
• Family Law Bar Association

Interests

Laura is a keen baker and rugby union fan. She enjoys going to the theatre and making trips back to her native North East when time allows.

Private Law Children

Re G (High Court: Family Division) Laura was instructed to represent the Mother in long running Child Arrangement proceedings. Laura was successful in a complex fact finding hearing with a combination of domestic abuse and welfare findings being made in her clients favour. Following difficulties in the case regarding the conduct of another party, she was also successful in an application for a civil restraint order during proceedings.

Re R (Swansea Family Court) Laura led second counsel in a complex final hearing including serious findings made of parental alienation.

Re I (High Court: Family Division) Represented an applicant in an application for declaration of jurisdiction and an immediate port alert where the respondent was seeking care of the children via proceedings in India despite the children being habitually resident in England and Wales.

Re P (Hastings Family Court) Represented the Father in committal proceedings involving contact between older teenage children and their Mother.

Re O (Guildford Family Court) Represented the Mother in a successful application to relocate out of the jurisdiction.

Re K (Huddersfield Family Court) Represented the Mother regarding change of residence where continued alienation was found by the Court.

Re C (East London Family Court) Represented a Mother with severe learning and mental health difficulties regarding contact with children living with the Father.

Re JT (Reading Family Court) Represented the Mother in private law proceedings where the Mother was sectioned during proceedings.

Re ON (Barnet Family Court) Represented the Father at a Fact Finding hearing where allegations of sexual abuse to a child were made against the Father. The Court made no findings.

Re A (Guildford Family Court) Represented the Mother in private law proceedings where serious allegations of parental alienation were made.

Re B (Oxford Family Court) Represented the Mother in committal proceedings where findings were made of her breaching previous orders.

Re S (East London Family court) Represented the Father in a fact finding hearing where he faced allegations of rape. No findings made against the Father and a shared care arrangement obtained.

Financial Remedy

O v O (East London Family Court) Represented the Applicant wife in financial remedy proceedings. Successful conduct case put resulting in a significant departure from equality in favour of the Applicant.

M v M (Central Family Court) Represented the applicant wife in financial remedy proceedings where the respondent husband did not engage.

Public Law Children

Re M (Liverpool Family Court) Represented a Grandmother seeking contact in care proceedings where children were placed in long term foster care in a placement which was not culturally matched.

Re J (Croydon Family Court) Representing the Father in care proceedings involving allegations of serious physical abuse to two children.

Re M (Guilford Family Court) Represented the Father in care proceedings including a fact finding hearing involving evidence from a summoned witness and allegations of the use of weapons including a crossbow.

Re T (Brighton Family Court) Represented the Mother in care proceedings following both parents receiving significant custodial sentences.

Re M (Portsmouth Family Court) Represented the Mother in care proceedings where a child suffered non-accidental injuries.

Re K (Central Family Court) Represented the Guardian in complex care proceedings involving very premature triplets.

Domestic Abuse

S v S (East London Family Court) Represented a brother in an application for Non-Molestation and Occupation order against his siblings.