Rachael Heppenstall

Family. Miss Heppenstall completed a specialist family pupillage and practised on the North Eastern Circuit until joining 9 St John Street in December 2000. Practice encompasses all aspects of family law with an emphasis upon children work, particularly childcare. Experience of cases involving serious non-accidental injury, physical and sexual abuse and has previously worked for a local authority in its childcare legal department. It was in this capacity that she gained experience in special educational needs and mental health work. In care/adoption proceedings, Miss Heppenstall acts on behalf of local authorities, parents, children and the official solicitor and others in the High Court, County Court and Family Proceedings Court. Miss Heppenstall regularly acts for parents/grandparents and children in s8 Children Act 1989 applications in the County and High Courts and has experience of removal from the jurisdiction and abduction cases; also acts for parties in ancillary relief, injunction and committal proceedings. Miss Heppenstall has been involved in accredited training for solicitors on the ancillary relief rules (Family Proceedings (Amendment No 2) Rules 1999).

University of Surrey (BSc Hons).