36 Family
Nicola has a strong reputation in all areas of family law. She demonstrates a high level of client care, has excellent attention to detail and is very pragmatic in her approach. Nicola has completed the Vulnerable Witness Training provided by the FLBA. She takes time to build her rapport with lay clients to ensure that they understand the issues, are able to follow the court process effectively and provide best evidence and case to the court. Nicola has effectively cross examined experts.
Nicola receives instructions in public and private law complex cases including adoption proceedings.
In private law Nicola has vast experience in representing parties which involve emotional, physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, parental alienation, drug and alcohol abuse, removal from the jurisdiction and internal relocation in England and Wales. Nicola has acted for 16.4 guardians.
Nicola has been led by silks in a wrath of complex cases.
Nicola is Direct Access registered.
Notable cases
Coventry City Council v Mother (BB) & Ors EWHC 1284 (Fam)(26 May 2023) Acted for Mother through the Official Solicitor. Parents were US citizens. Mother’s capacity fluctuated. Expert evidence from psychiatrists re capacity and expert regarding registration of orders in foreign court. Child returned to US to live with family member. Both parents opposed move.
Re A & B (2022) EWFC 44 Acted for paternal aunt on a pro bono basis. Two children, one living with foster carers and one to be approved to care for by the aunt. The aunt had two parenting assessments by different local authorities, one positive and one negative. The foster carers wished to adopt one of the children who had only known that placement and family. Whether adoption was only option, would a special guardianship order suffice, should siblings be placed together and contact should they be placed in separate households. A Local Authority v
MM & Ors (2020) EWFC 65 (07 October 2020) Acted for mother in NAI. Long running care proceedings involving Romanian nationals The father applied to transfer the case under article 15 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 nineteen months after the care proceedings had commenced. The application was dismissed
Call 2007