Court of Protection - Vulnerable Adult; Financial Remedies; International Children Law; Private Children Law; Private FDR and Early Neutral Evaluation; Direct Access
Julia is described in the directories as “an absolute superstar” who “thinks outside the box and can win the trickiest points whilst making it look easy”. Her busy practice has a focus on both the financial consequences of relationship breakdown and private law children matters. She is ranked in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 in both fields.
Julia has a wealth of experience advising clients domestically and internationally, primarily as an advocate in her own right but also as part of legal teams. Alongside her busy court practice, Julia represents clients in private FDRs/early neutral evaluations and arbitrations frequently.
Julia is a contributing author to Rayden and Jackson on Relationship Breakdown, Finances and Children. She has written articles for various family law publications, national newspapers and has featured on Sky News and BBC Radio addressing both private law children and divorce/family finance issues.
Described for her finance work in Legal 500 as “a superb advocate with a great eye for detail, meticulous in her preparation and quick on her feet” Julia is calm, reassuring and pragmatic with clients.
Julia advises clients prior to and during marriage as well as post-separation (including on issues of nuptial agreements) and represents clients in court, private FDRs/early neutral evaluations and arbitrations on wide ranging issues. Experienced in claims pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 and the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, many of Julia’s cases have an international dimension, including jurisdiction disputes and worldwide assets and issues emanating from overseas divorces. Julia is well-versed in cases involving a raft of different asset categories, as well as discrete issues such as capacity, conduct, adverse inferences, third party issues such as family loans and beneficial interests and notice to show cause applications – see for example KVK v DQD [2024] EWFC 78 (B). Julia is routinely instructed in relation to the enforcement of financial orders, including committals (for example, in O’Connell v Lovell (divorce: property) [2017] EWFC B99).
Julia is said by the directories to be “extremely smart, tactically very astute and always knows the papers inside out” in her private children law practice.
Representing a diverse client base, Julia’s experience within the field is significant. This includes all section 8 Children Act 1989 disputes (involving issues such as domestic abuse – for example in SM v PM [2023] EWHC 3446 (Fam), alienating behaviours, agency of children, substance misuse, mental health as well as cases without safeguarding issues), relocation (international and domestic), enforcement and thorny parental responsibility issues – for example in B v C [2023] EWHC 291 (Fam) and B v C (No. 2) (1996 Hague Convention Art 22) [2023] EWHC 2524 (Fam). Some years of public children law practice means Julia is also adept when private law children matters include local authority involvement and allegations of abuse (for example, Julia appeared in Re AD & AM (Fact-Finding hearing) (Application for re-hearing) [2016] EWHC 326 (Fam), Re AD & AM (Children) (Fact Finding: Re-Hearing) [2016] EWHC 2912 (Fam)).
Julia co-authors the section 8 Children Act 1989 chapter of Rayden and Jackson on Relationship Breakdown, Finances and Children. She assists Piers Pressdee KC in coordinating the 4PB Private Children Law Group and is an author of the routine 4PB Private Law Children Update newsletters.
Julia’s private children law practice routinely involves issues transcending into the international law field, such as applications for leave to remove children overseas on a permanent and temporary basis and jurisdiction disputes.
Julia was instructed on behalf of the mother and led by Michael Gration KC in B v C [2023] EWHC 291(Fam) and B v C [2023] EWHC 291 (Fam) and B v C (No. 2) (1996 Hague Convention Art 22) [2023] EWHC 2524 (Fam) concerning the question of whether parental responsibility conferred fraudulently on a person by operation of Spanish law should subsist by operation of Article 16 of the Hague Convention 1996. The Secretary of State for Justice intervened.
Julia offers adjudication through private FDRs/early neutral evaluations. In addition, since 2020, Julia has acted as the advising barrister to many couples through The Divorce Surgery, the innovative ‘one couple one lawyer’ service founded by Samantha Woodham and Harry Gates of 4PB.
Julia has significant experience appearing as counsel instructed on behalf of parties at private FDRs/early neutral evaluations, arbitrations and for round table meetings.
Having previously authored the Court of Protection Update for Family Law Week, Julia has experience of Court of Protection issues flowing from other family law matters (including the Matrimonial Causes Act 1989 and previous Children Act 1989 proceedings) concerning vulnerable adults. This includes applications to revoke a lasting power of attorney and appoint an independent deputy. Julia’s experience in the Court of Protection extends to the involvement of experts and international issues.
Rayden and Jackson on Relationship Breakdown, Finances and Children – Children Act 1989: Private Law Orders: Section 8 orders (ongoing)
Year of Call: 2011
Conversational French.
Family Law Bar Association The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
MA (Cantab), Law, Girton College, University of Cambridge BPTC, Kaplan Law School, London
In her spare time Julia enjoys running, travel and charitable work.
