3PB

Family

Overview
Theresa Lim qualified as a solicitor in April 2005, and transferred to the Bar and joined 3PB in October 2019. She has considerable experience undertaking a wide range of advocacy in family matters with a strong in-depth knowledge and specialism in complex public and private law proceedings, Family Law Act proceedings and proceedings under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court for protection from Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) as well as health and welfare Court of Protection proceedings.

She has been a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and regularly represents both children and vulnerable adults.

Theresa is highly motivated with exceptional interpersonal skills and a proven track record within the legal profession as an accomplished and articulate advocate. She delivers an excellent service to clients working calmly and efficiently under pressure.
Family
Theresa has a strong and in-depth knowledge and specialism in complex public and private law proceedings.  Objectively and effectively representing both lay and professional clients from all social backgrounds, maintaining a professional presence and providing a high standard of representation and client care to each client she represents.

Theresa regularly represents clients via the Official Solicitor; or in cases where clients and/or witnesses have additional educational needs, and/or participation directions have been given.

She is an expert in care and adoption and private children law cases, injunctions and domestic violence disputes.
Care and adoption
Theresa Lim regularly acts for parents, guardians, extended family members, intervenors, and the Official Solicitor.

She has a particular interest in NAI cases and has appeared in cases involving brain and skull injury, rib fractures, limb fractures,  extensive bruising and sexual abuse.

Theresa is experienced in representing parties in care cases involving:

• Non accidental injury/death of a child
• Sexual abuse (parent and or sibling)(acting for the alleged perpetrator/victim/non-perpetrating parent or carer)
• Expert/medico-legal issues (including Factitious disorder by proxy)
• Chronic neglect, drug and alcohol addiction (including cases in the FDAC)
• Domestic violence and sexual abuse/offending
• Serious mental illness/personality disorders
• S.38(6) assessments
• S.34 applications
• Adoption/Special Guardianship/Wardship
• Secure Accommodation/Deprivation of Liberty
• Parents or children with special needs/cognitive impairment and capacity issues
• Revocation of placement orders/discharge of Care Orders

As a solicitor, Theresa was the first to give notice to Birmingham City Council under S. 14 Children Act 1989 leading to one of the first Special Guardianship Orders being made in Birmingham.
Private law
Theresa Lim has a wide range of experience in private law applications, and applications under the Family Law Act.Theresa regularly acts for parents, carers, and Rule 16.4 Guardians.

Theresa is experienced in representing parties in private law cases involving:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse (parent and or sibling)(acting for the alleged perpetrator/victim/non-perpetrating parent or carer)
• Domestic violence and sexual abuse/offending
• Parental Alienation
• Implacable hositility
• Serious mental illness/psychological disorders
• Drug and alcohol misuse
• Removal from the jurisdiction/relocation in England and Wales
• Prohibited Steps Orders
• Specific Issue Orders including a child’s end of life care
• S.91(14) Orders
• Recovery Orders
• Tipstaff
• S.37 reports/ICO/ISO

Theresa has represented parties in non-molestation and occupation order proceedings and has combined the protective orders under the Children Act and Family Law Act to obtain protection for victims of domestic violence and so-called “honour” violence.
Court of protection
Theresa’s background in complex public law Children Act proceedings - including the application of Deprivation of Liberty to children in local authority care - in which she regularly represents clients via the Official Solicitor, has led to a natural progression of her practice into health and welfare Court of Protection proceedings.

This is also the case where clients and/or witnesses have additional needs and vulnerabilities, an area in which Theresa is highly experienced.

Theresa is also very experienced in cases where there is conflicting capacity evidence including fluctuating capacity, together with cases involving declarations in respect of both capacity and best interests.

Year of Call: 2019 Solicitor: 2005

The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn Family Law Bar Association Member of the Association of Lawyers for Children

LPC, The College of Law, Birmingham Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)(Hons), Nottingham Trent University