Forbes Solicitors

Family

Helen Shirbon is joint Head of the Family team and leads the firm’s public law children practice. Working alongside Rubina Vohra, she plays a key role in the strategic development and continued growth of the department and the wider firm. Helen has been a member of Resolution since 2001 and has held continuous membership of the Law Society Children Panel since the same year, acting for both parents and children in public law proceedings.

Helen is a specialist in children law and domestic abuse, and obtained Higher Rights of Audience in 2005, reflecting her long-standing focus on advocacy and complex court work. Since 2010, she has developed a strong niche in public law children’s cases, with the majority of her instructions involving work alongside CAFCASS and representing children in care proceedings and highly complex private law disputes.

Helen is regularly instructed by Children’s Guardians in matters involving serious safeguarding concerns, urgent interim applications and high-conflict litigation. She is known for her calm and decisive approach in fast-moving cases, frequently handling complex and time-sensitive instructions, including out-of-hours matters, where clear strategy and robust representation are critical.