Profile
Rachel accepts instructions in Family and Civil Law and benefits from the experience of having undertaken Criminal cases at the start of her practice.
Rachel is meticulous and thorough with her preparation and has an eye for detail, understanding that attending any court hearing can be stressful, and so builds rapport with clients to put them at ease.
Rachel adopts a robust yet measured approach to advice and utilises her mediation qualification during negotiations with clients and other legal professionals.
Experienced in using remote platforms for client conferences and hearings, Rachel can set up telephone or video conferences with clients to suit their needs.
Family
Rachel maintains a busy practice in all aspects of Family Law including:
• Public and private proceedings for child arrangements and care proceedings, from early directions to multi-day final and fact-finding hearings
• Injunction applications for Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders up to contested final hearings, involving multiple allegations of domestic abuse
• Financial remedies; from early advice through to enforcement applications
Rachel represents all parties, including Local Authorities, Parents, Intervenors, or the Child through their Guardian. Rachel can advise on sensitive and complex issues, including but not limited to cases with an international dimension, domestic abuse, neglect, alcohol and substance misuse and non-accidental injury.
Rachel has experience in representing vulnerable clients and obtaining and using special measures, which have included the use of intermediaries and interpreters.
Civil
Before commencing Pupillage, Rachel worked as a County Court Advocate and conducted a broad range of civil cases, and continues to accept instructions for civil matters, including:
• Housing disputes (landlord and tenant, mortgage possession, and anti-social behaviour injunctions)
• Applications (default judgment, application to set aside judgment, relief from sanctions, summary judgment)
• Infant settlements, including advising on quantum
• Small claims (contract, road traffic accidents, parking, and credit hire)
• Return of goods and time orders
• Bankruptcy and enforcement, including charging orders
• Costs
Crime
• Prosecuted and defended in trials, applications, sentencing and appeals (both in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court). This included driving and drug offences, sexual offences, theft act, assault, criminal damage (including those in a domestic setting), securing restraining orders, and handling breached orders.
Education
LLB, University of Exeter
LLM Legal Practice (Barristers), BPP University
ADR ODR International Accredited Civil Commercial Mediator [2019]
Awards and Scholarships
BPP Advocacy Scholarship
Excellence at Exeter Scholarship