In 1989, Pauline qualified as a solicitor and has practised exclusively in the field of family law since. Then in 1996 Pauline was accredited by the Law Society as a member of the Children Panel authorised to represent parents and children in public law proceedings. Over the years, Pauline undertook increasing amounts of advocacy as a solicitor, and in 2007 was awarded Higher Rights of Audience by the Law Society and has now fully embraced this skill by transferring to the Bar in October 2011. Pauline is therefore a dual qualified practitioner in that she remains on the roll of solicitors but now practises as a barrister.

Pauline’s experience covers the full range of child protection cases including the most serious matters involving homicide within the family, sexual abuse, non-accidental injury, neglect, domestic violence, substance misuse and mental health difficulties. She has developed a particular expertise in the law relating to children, especially children and their families in the context of public law care and adoption proceedings.

In addition to her children’s work in the public law field, Pauline has considerable experience of the law arising from alternative family structures, especially in the gay community, and families created by surrogacy or donor insemination arrangements.

Call 2011