Rebecca Stokes-Herbst

Family; immigration; mental health.

Family & Child Care

Rebecca undertakes work in all aspects of Children Law and acts for Local Authorities, parents and Guardians, alongside other interested parties in both public and private law proceedings and on behalf of the Official Solicitor.

Rebecca accepts instructions in injunction and committal applications and has experience of Forced Marriage Protection Orders. She has acted in Fact Finding hearings relating to serious sexual, physical and emotional abuse in both Care and Private Law Proceedings. She has acted in applications for leave to remove from the jurisdiction.

Her immigration practice means she is well-placed to advise on family cases raising immigration issues and she can provide written advice on these issues on request, for use in care/private law proceedings.

Rebecca has appeared and been led in complex High Court care proceedings involving issues of private fostering arrangements. She has experience of acting for parties with disabilities and those with complex mental health issues.

Recent cases include:

Complex care proceedings lasting 3 weeks with a Fact Finding element involving issues of Forced Marriage, Honour Based Violence and cultural issues. An 11-day Fact Finding hearing in care proceedings involving significant domestic violence and sexual abuse allegations. Acting for a first time Mother in a case involving significant non-accidental injuries resulting in no findings of perpetration against her. High Court proceedings representing a Mother resisting an application to remove her child to live with his Father in Kurdistan, Iraq. Acting for parents and Local Authorities in cases involving parents with significant learning disabilities and mental health issues. Immigration

Rebecca undertakes work across the full field of immigration and asylum law and has experience in respect of asylum, human rights, PBS, EEA and entry clearance appeals. She has conducted appeals in respect of deportation and applications for bail.

Having previously worked as a senior caseworker in a not-for-profit immigration organization, she has developed client care skills that make her particularly suitable for cases of a sensitive nature. She has recent experience of dealing with victims of trafficking, those at risk of torture, victims of domestic violence and sexual violence and those with mental health issues, including where there are issues as to capacity. Her complimentary practice in family law and mental health make her particularly suited to cases raising these issues, including understanding the impact of on-going family proceedings on immigration applications and appeals.

Recent cases include issues as to statelessness and cross-examination of Home Office experts as to fingerprint evidence.

She has a growing interest in assisting businesses with immigration issues.

Mental Health & Court of Protection

Rebecca deals with cases involving vulnerable adults and teenagers in the Court of Protection including issues relating to capacity, welfare, deprivation of liberty, deputyship and contact.

MEMBERSHIPS  Family Law Bar Association Association of Lawyers for Children EDUCATION & AWARDS University of Warwick LLB (Hons) Nottingham Law School BVC Lord Denning Scholarship (Lincoln's Inn) Hardwicke Scholar (Lincoln's Inn)

University of Warwick (LLB Hons); Nottingham Law School (BVC); Lincoln’s Inn (Lord Denning Scholarship); Lincoln’s Inn (Hardewick Scholar).