Fenners Family Practice Group

After previous changes in the family law system, the unified Family Court breaks down the barriers that used to exist between the different tiers of the court system. Coupled with the removal of legal aid for most family cases and financial pressures on public bodies concerned with the welfare of children, Fenners’ Family Practice Group was well prepared for all these changes and looks to offer its services in ways which ensure that the best legal advice and representation is still available to all – regardless of the financial circumstances of the family members concerned.

The Family Practice Group represents spouses, partners, parents, children’s guardians, local authorities and extended family members.

Domestic Violence:

• Applications for injunction and enforcement of injunctions

General Family Law Issues including:

• The validity of marriages or civil partnerships
• Claims of nullity
• Divorce proceedings and judicial separation
• Civil partnership disputes
• International family jurisdiction
• Forced marriages

The Court of Protection
The Family Practice Group advises in cases concerning welfare/best interest (including residence arrangements), financial matters, medical treatment, deprivation of liberty (DOLS), judicial review and on appeals. Our clients include claimants, family members, health and public bodies, local authorities and “P”.

Early Neutral Evaluation Service
Our senior family barristers offer Early Neutral Evaluation (a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution or “ADR”) to assist families involved in a dispute over their children or finances following a family breakdown. A senior barrister or part time judge from our Family Team will review all relevant evidence available from both parties and give an indication of what the outcome of court proceedings might be. You can choose your Evaluator or we can allocate someone suitable from the Team. The benefits of this service are as follows:

• It is cost effective
• It promotes early settlement
• It is less intimidating than being in court
• You choose a date and venue that suits you/your clients
• It is flexible – you can choose certain issues for evaluation, or use it for all issues
• It is a voluntary process and so promotes co-operation
• Parties mutually invest in reaching a settlement outside of the court process
• Parties retain the power of making final decisions
• Early Neutral Evaluations (which are also called Private FDRs) have a very high settlement rate

Recent Feedback
My experience of using Fenners Chambers via the direct access scheme has been great. From the initial contact right up until my court hearing, the clerks and barrister have been very helpful, sympathetic and understanding. Although it was all dealt with in a professional manner, it also felt personal and that reassured me whilst dealing with such a traumatic time in my life. Nothing can prepare you for the fear as you enter a court room but Abigail Pilkington was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable and professional but again making me feel at ease during such a difficult time. I would like to thank you all for making this awful time a little more comfortable. I would most certainly recommend your chambers”.

Listing of barristers within our Family Practice Group