The Legal 500

Position

Fiona has passion for no-nonsense common sense and justice. She is forceful where necessary, sensitive where appropriate and always focused on the best interest of the client. Fiona regularly represents parents and children in the County and High Court; especially in relation to non-accidental injury and sexual abuse cases. She has also represents Local Authorities in the Court of Appeal, the County Court and Family Proceedings Court. Fiona also undertakes private law cases in all Courts and is fervent in the belief that all children have a right to a safe and happy life with both parents. Fiona also continues to practice ancillary relief work with an emphasis on high-value claims although, on her own admission, would rather refer TOLATA cases to other members of Chambers.

Career

Called: 2002; Gray's Inn. Fiona studied law at Aberdeen University (LLB Hons 21, DipLP) with a view to qualifying as an advocate (counsel) in Scotland in a desperate attempt to thwart parental ambition for her to have a career in medicine. Fiona was admitted as a solicitor in Scotland in 1992, working in the field of marine and fishing Pl/Insurance litigation for a prestigious North East practice where she was regularly appearing personally in the Sherriff Court and with Counsel in the High Court and Court of Session. This all with a view to a passage to Edinburgh (to the Bar; a prerequisite in Scotland being qualifying as a solicitor first). Domestic arrangements dictating otherwise, in 1994 she found herself in Mid-Wales in private practice dealing with crime and family law. Quickly having established herself as a popular, respected and, above all, sensible advocate and practitioner, she became a partner in the firm and was responsible for the running of the family department and was an accredited member of the Law Society Family Panel (as well as a Police Station and Court Duty Solicitor). The advent of motherhood resulted in a change of direction and Fiona concentrated her efforts on the family (in both senses of the word) aspect of her practice. The evolutionary process of legal aid reforms having impacted on private practice, Fiona found herself immersed in high-value matrimonial finance and private law disputes and (although she still undertakes and enjoys such work today), she was delighted to be invited to apply (2002) to Chambers to deal with all aspects of family law; with a particular emphasis on public law work for parents, guardians and local authorities.