4PB

Private Children Law; Finance; Non-court dispute resolution

Overview

Laura specialises in all areas of private law children, representing both parents and children through their Guardians. She is passionate about this area of law and strives to achieve the best outcome for her clients.

This year, Laura was instructed on behalf of the father and led by Charles Hale KC in the Court of Appeal in a complex family case involving non-disclosure in the case of Re T (Children: non-disclosure) [2024] EWCA civ 241.

In addition to children work, Laura also represents clients in complex financial disputes, acting on behalf of married, civil partnered and unmarried parties in divorce, dissolution and separation cases, as well as disputes concerning financial provision for the children of unmarried parents (Schedule 1).

Laura has a strong interest and growing practice in advising and representing clients on the law relating to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (surrogacy, parental order applications and fertility treatment). She regularly writes articles and lectures on the subject.

Laura lectures in all areas of family law. Having spoken at the Resolution Conference in both 2021 and 2022, she also regularly speaks at smaller seminars at solicitors’ firms. Laura also writes articles for various family law publications including 4PB’s Children Law quarterly update and Family Law Week.

Clients frequently praise Laura’s refreshingly calm, approachable, reassuring and down-to-earth manner, particularly her empathy as she frequently supports clients through a difficult process.

Laura’s attention to detail and fearless advocacy is both persuasive and robust and her focus from the outset is to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients.

Laura is also trained in collaborative law and is committed to making non-court-based dispute resolution work where the circumstances are appropriate.

Away from work, Laura has three children of her own. She enjoys pottery and keeping fit, especially playing tennis both recreationally and competitively as much as possible.

Laura was recently ranked in the Legal 500.

Awards

Joseph Jackson Award Middle Temple (2005)

Professional Memberships

Family Law Bar Association Middle Temple

Education & Qualifications

BSc Psychology, Leicester University Graduate Diploma in Law, BBP Law School Bar Vocational Course, BBP Law School Qualified Collaborative Lawyer