Nicola has a strong reputation in all areas of family law. She demonstrates a high level of client care, has excellent attention to detail and is very pragmatic in her approach. Nicola has completed the Vulnerable Witness Training provided by the FLBA. She takes time to build her rapport with lay clients to ensure that they understand the issues, are able to follow the court process effectively and provide best evidence and case to the court. Nicola has effectively cross examined experts.

Nicola receives instructions in public and private law complex cases including adoption proceedings.

In private law Nicola has vast experience in representing parties which involve emotional, physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, parental alienation, drug and alcohol abuse, removal from the jurisdiction and internal relocation in England and Wales. Nicola has acted for 16.4 guardians.

Nicola has been led by silks in a wrath of complex cases.

Nicola is Direct Access registered.

Key cases

Coventry City Council v Mother (BB) & Ors EWHC 1284 (Fam)(26 May 2023) Acted for Mother through the Official Solicitor. Parents were US citizens. Mother’s capacity fluctuated. Expert evidence from psychiatrists re capacity and expert regarding registration of orders in foreign court. Child returned to US to live with family member. Both parents opposed move.

Re A & B (2022) EWFC 44 Acted for paternal aunt on a pro bono basis. Two children, one living with foster carers and one to be approved to care for by the aunt. The aunt had two parenting assessments by different local authorities, one positive and one negative. The foster carers wished to adopt one of the children who had only known that placement and family. Whether adoption was only option, would a special guardianship order suffice, should siblings be placed together and contact should they be placed in separate households. A Local Authority v

MM & Ors (2020) EWFC 65 (07 October 2020) Acted for mother in NAI. Long running care proceedings involving Romanian nationals The father applied to transfer the case under article 15 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 nineteen months after the care proceedings had commenced. The application was dismissed

Areas of expertise

Nicola has represented foster carers seeking to adopt the child which was opposed by the birth parents. Arguments regarding adoption v special guardianship orders v foster care. Child had received extensive fractures as a baby by the father. Adoption order made.

Nicola has represented father who had a conviction for downloading child images. Hearing regarding his progression of contact to his children which was opposed by the mother. Final order which allowed for contact to move to unsupervised in the future and the gradual reduction of supervised time.

Nicola has represented Mother seeking to internally relocate daughter to different county which father opposed. Permission granted.

Nicola represented non birth Mother in same sex relationship. CAFCASS had initially recommended limited contact due to child’s wishes. After effective cross examination CAFCASS agreed to do more work with family. Final order set out increase in contact which included alternative weekends and good quality holiday contact.

Nicola has represented parents who have applied or opposing external relocation to Dubai, Germany , Spain and France.

Nicola has represented local authorities at removal hearings, case management,fact finds and final hearings. These have included threshold and welfare issues inc adoption.

Nicola has received instructions for NAI which have included fractured skulls and bones and extensive bruising. She has cross examined experts.

Nicola has dealt with sexual abuse cases where she has acted for the alleged perpetrator and for partners accused of failing to protect.

Nicola has acted in cases with allegations of FII. Nicola has acted for the parents, child/ren and intervenors at fact finds.

Nicola has dealt with different jurisdictions and assessments and placing of child/ren in different country.

Further information

LLM Nottingham Trent

Joint BA Honours History and Law Cardiff University

Bar Conversion Course

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