Expertise
Humanity
I am a lawyer in BCR's Family Law team, advising clients on a broad range of matters. My practice areas include divorce and separation, financial remedy proceedings, child arrangements and residence disputes, as well as pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. I am committed to providing clear, practical advice and supporting clients through what can often be complex and sensitive circumstances.
I studied English and Spanish Law at the University of Kent, Canterbury, and was awarded an Erasmus scholarship to spend a year studying at La Universidad Complutense de Madrid. I subsequently read for the Bar at the Inns of Court School of Law.
I then spent several years working in London, where I practised at the English Bar and worked for a leading London law firm before returning to Jersey.
Before joining BCR Law, I spent 16 years at Ogier, where I was a Senior Associate specialising in private client litigation. During this time, I gained extensive experience across a variety of contentious areas, undertaking family, criminal, personal injury and clinical negligence work.
With my broad litigation background and extensive legal experience, I provide clients with strategic, practical advice tailored to their individual circumstances.
I believe very much in the importance of family but I’m realistic and appreciate that “family” doesn’t always comprise of married parents and children who all live together. Separations and divorces are common, and lawyers can play an important part in helping the parents create a legal framework within which a separated family can comfortably co-exist.
My parents separated when I was very young, and my father moved away from Jersey. The divorce was very bitter with ongoing issues relating to contact and finances which progressed until I was at University. It made me think that there must be better way for a family to get through a divorce.
I like problem solving and I also like to help people. I have worked for several years as a peer support worker for MIND Jersey, so I consider I have a good understanding of the impact of significant negative life events on people’s emotional wellbeing. In my experience fear plays a significant part in how people deal with divorce/separation ie fear of losing their children, home, financial standing etc.
In my role as a family lawyer, I am able to guide people through the legal process, give them realistic legal and practical advice to achieve a child-focussed legal framework within which the children can thrive despite a big change in their domestic situation.
In addition, I am able to analyse the overall financial picture and advise and assist in reaching an agreement which is fair to both sides and will be acceptable to the court.
I guess the aspect of my job I like the most is enabling people to realise that there is life after divorce/separation and that life can be very good indeed.
