Rachanda Shafei

Work Department

Position

Introduction

Rachanda was a court advocate prior to joining 33 Bedford Row and was instructed in over 650 cases prior to accepting tenancy, giving her experience far beyond her year of call. She combines a strong focus on client care with thorough preparation, persuasive advocacy and clear, practical advice. She is instructed repeatedly by solicitors, with outstanding testimonials from both lay and professional clients. 

Rachanda is building a practice which reflects the range of chambers’ expertise in family law whilst continuing to represent her clients in areas of civil law. 

Rachanda accepts instructions through Public Access.

Career

Year of call 2019
Civil

Rachanda has established a busy practice and is experienced in drafting pleadings, applications and witness statements, assessing quantum and liability, and preparing schedule of loss and opinions.

She regularly represents both Claimants and Defendants across small claims, fast track, applications, CMCs and CCMCs and has also has significant experience in landlord and tenant disputes, HMO licencing, breach of contract, road traffic accidents, personal injury, flight delay, credit hire, consumer rights, debt recovery and bankruptcy.

She acts for a large property company in seeking possession and damages for one of their properties valued over £2million which received national newspaper coverage.

Recently, Rachanda has advised on a significant claim for damages against Royal Mail which included making a formal application for relief from sanctions and amending grounds of appeal. She has also advised on quantum for three Claimants against a local authority for personal injury and harassment. She has since advised on a significant claim for psychiatric damages against the West Midlands Police. 

Rachanda is regularly instructed to represent the Ministry of Justice through the Government Legal Department.

Family

Prior to joining chambers, Rachanda worked in litigation financing for matrimonial proceedings and Financial Dispute Resolution in respect of family disputes. She has used this experience to successfully navigate financially complex cases, some of which have involved international couples with offshore assets. She is regularly instructed to represent parties at FDAs, FDRs, Preliminary and Final Hearings.

Rachanda has gained significant experience representing clients in private children proceedings. Her experience includes child arrangement orders, prohibited steps orders and specific issue orders and represents individuals at First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointments, Direction Appointments, Fact-Finding Hearings and contested Final Hearings.

She has been instructed regularly in cases involving domestic abuse, sexual assault and parental alienation and is particularly adept at dealing with cases where there is a cross-over between applications for child arrangement orders, non-molestation orders and occupations orders. She strives to ensure clients feel like their voices are being heard during the course of proceedings.

In addition to private children proceedings, Rachanda has experience with private law family matters, both with notice and without, involving occupation orders, transfer of tenancy and non-molestation proceedings. She has been instructed at all stages of the proceedings including for Fact-Findings and Final Hearings.

Rachanda is more recently instructed in Public Law matters acting on behalf of the parents.

Direct Access

Rachanda is accredited to accept work under Public access, also known as Direct access, in suitable cases. In order to instruct Rachanda on a Public access basis, contact the clerks on +44 (0) 20 7242 6476 or at clerks@33bedfordrow.co.uk.