+44 (0) 20 7421 8019
Hena has a balanced practice of complex private law and public (care) cases.
Private law cases involve those with the most serious of issues, domestic abuse, alienation, cultural conflict as well as emotional, physical and sexual abuse (rape and familial abuse).
Hena is well known for her work in public (care) cases involving serious allegations such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional harm, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), as well as medical cases involving non-accidental injuries, shaken baby syndrome, Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) and cases involving mental health issues.
Hena is reputed for her forensic analysis and thorough preparation of cases. She has extensive experience cross-examining experts, professionals and other witnesses assisted by her early career at the Criminal Bar where she regularly appeared in trials concerning rape, sexual assault, historical sexual abuse and serious assault.
Hena is a highly skilled and versatile professional with a strong background in private law cases.
She is known for her expertise in handling complex legal matters with a balanced and thoughtful approach. Clients and colleagues alike hold Hena in high regard for her tenacity and robust advocacy skills. She is recognised for her ability to navigate sensitive issues with sensitivity and compassion, always keeping the best interests of her clients, particularly children, at the forefront of her work.
One of Hena’s notable strengths is her meticulous preparation and forensic analysis of cases. With extensive experience in cross-examining experts, professionals, and witnesses, she brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the courtroom.
Private law cases involve those with the most serious of issues, domestic abuse, alienation, cultural conflict, religious or racial issues as well as emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
Hena has extensive experience of dealing with all forms of Section 8 Children Act 1989 applications, cases involving a foreign element and cases where psychiatric or other medical evidence relating either to parents or children is required. Hena’s litigation experience includes extensive experience of representing parties in multi day final hearings and fact finding hearings, including those with an alleged criminal element or concurrent criminal proceedings.
Hena was shortlisted for Junior of the Year by Legal 500 in 2023.
Key cases & testimonials
P (a Child), Re [2015] EWFC B88 (QB) (20 May 2015)
Decision re long-term foster care and adoption
Separation of siblings and long-term impact : O being older was staying with family whilst
the court had to consider long-term plans for P. The court had to balance the welfare
needs of both children with careful consideration of O’s mental health needs at particularly
vulnerable period of O’s life (in the process of gender transition).
Issues: drug misuse, domestic violence, parental mental health issues and LGBTQ+
issues.
O (A Child): Interim Care Order [2019] EWCA Civ 583 (28 March 2019)
Appeal re a decision to discharge an interim care order during the course of ongoing
proceedings where a parent was implicated in an attempted murder which took place in the
family home with O upstairs and led to O being removed from her care.
Issues: domestic violence, concurrent criminal proceedings re attempted murder, issues
re neurodiversity of the child.
Appeal successful.
Y (Leave to Oppose Adoption), Re [2020] EWCA Civ 1287 (07 October 2020)
Appeal re an order in adoption proceedings concerning a child, Y, granting Y’s parents
leave to oppose the making of an adoption order.
Issues: non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse (including long standing familial multi-
generational sexual abuse), domestic violence, deception of professionals, parents
profoundly deaf, use of deaf intermediaries and sign language interpreters.
Appeal successful.
Hena is the consummate professional and always prepared for every case. She has a detailed grasp of her area of law and is able to quickly and accurately ascertain the issues in a case. Her advocacy skills and cross examination skills are exceptional. She swiftly updates her instructing solicitor and is generous with her time and knowledge.Legal 500, 2024
Hena is professional, calm, and polite, she tries to progress cases by getting representatives to speak to each other. She is compassionate with clients but will also be honest about the evidence as she assesses it. She is thorough in her knowledge of a case and the law. She is clear when explaining aspects of a case and when cross-examining. She can be tenacious in her representation when necessary.Legal 500, 2023
Areas of expertise
Hena is a highly skilled and versatile professional with a strong background in private law cases.
She is known for her expertise in handling complex legal matters with a balanced and thoughtful approach. Clients and colleagues alike hold Hena in high regard for her tenacity and robust advocacy skills. She is recognised for her ability to navigate sensitive issues with sensitivity and compassion, always keeping the best interests of her clients, particularly children, at the forefront of her work.
One of Hena’s notable strengths is her meticulous preparation and forensic analysis of cases. With extensive experience in cross-examining experts, professionals, and witnesses, she brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the courtroom.
Private law cases involve those with the most serious of issues, domestic abuse, alienation, cultural conflict, religious or racial issues as well as emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
Hena has extensive experience of dealing with all forms of Section 8 Children Act 1989 applications, cases involving a foreign element and cases where psychiatric or other medical evidence relating either to parents or children is required. Hena’s litigation experience includes extensive experience of representing parties in multi-day final hearings and fact-finding hearings, including those with an alleged criminal element or concurrent criminal proceedings.
Hena is an experienced and formidable advocate who is reputed to be a tenacious, robust yet sensitive in her approach whilst being mindful, down to earth and child-focused with clients. Hena is well respected by those who instruct her and the court alike.
Hena is reputed and respected for her forensic analysis and thorough preparation of cases. She has extensive experience cross-examining experts, professionals and other witnesses assisted by her early career at the Criminal Bar where she regularly appeared in trials concerning rape, sexual assault, historical sexual abuse and serious assault.
Hena has extensive experience as a Leading Junior, as well as being led by Senior Counsel and is instructed in the Family Court and High Court and in appellate work.
Hena is well known for her work in cases involving serious allegations such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional harm as well as medical cases involving non-accidental injuries, shaken baby syndrome, Factitious and/or Induced Illness (FII) and cases involving mental health issues.
Hena regulary accepts instructions to represent parents, children’s guardians, competent children and intervenors alike with particular expertise in:
Domestic violence
Cultural, religious and / or racial conflict
Forced marriage and honour based violence
Sexual abuse including rape and familial abuse
Non-accidental /inflicted injury
Fabricated and/or induced illness (FII)
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Cases involving individuals with learning difficulties (and the use of Intermediaries)
Hearing impaired families
Drug and Alcohol misuse
Chronic neglect and abuse
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
LGBTQ+
Concurrent criminal proceedings
Further information
Diploma in Transformational Coaching (2020-2023)
University of Leicester (BA: Law, Philosophy, Psychology and Drama) (1993-1996) (2:1)
Brunel University (MA: Criminal Justice) (1996-1998)
Law School: University of the West of England (2001-2002) (Very Competent)
Hena regularly delivers seminars and training widely, both in person and online. She is available to provide training and seminars in all areas of her practice.
Appointments & Memberships
Midland Circuit Women’s Forum – Vice Chair
Circuit Officer – Midland Circuit
Advocacy Trainer
Languages
In addition to English as Hena’s first language she fluently speaks Kutchi and Gujarati and is able to speak Hindi and Punjabi at a conversational level.