Family Law

The Family and Childcare Department deals with all aspects of Family Law, representing parents, children, other family members and interveners who are based in the UK and worldwide, in proceedings across England & Wales in all levels of Court from Magistrates right the way up to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

We have particular strength and specialities in the following areas:

• Complex Care proceedings involving:
  • The death of a child;
  • Shaken Baby allegations;
  • Genetic disorders mimicking child abuse;
  • Non-accidental injuries (NAI) including head injuries (NAHI), fractures and bruising;
  • Sexual abuse;
  • Fabricated Induced Illness (FII);
  • Cases where there are concurrent criminal proceedings;

• International Surrogacy & Adoption Cases.
• Complex Private Law children proceedings where the child or children are separately represented through a Cafcass Children’s Guardian.
• Child Abduction including cases through the International Child Abduction & Contact Unit [ICACU]
• Representation of vulnerable clients, those with learning difficulties, ethnic minority backgrounds and foreign nationals.

We are often instructed by clients part way through proceedings where they already have legal representation. We are usually able and willing to take over your case and can ensure that the process in doing so is as smooth as possible.

At GT Stewart, we know that matters concerning family and private life are the most sensitive to deal with, which is why our experienced family team will listen to your concerns, wishes and feelings, and work to get you the best outcome to suit your needs. Please get in touch so we can set out how we are able to help you.

Please consider a recent Article by Max Konarek, one of our joint Heads of the Department about what you should consider when choosing a lawyer to represent you – The article can be read HERE

Please see below the areas of Family and Childcare law we are able to assist with:

Public Law Children Advice (involvement with Social Services)

• Care Proceedings (Care & Supervision Orders)
• Emergency Protection Orders
• Pre-proceedings meetings (receipt of “Letter before Proceedings”)
• Placement Order
• Adoption
• Children in Need (CHIN)
• Child Protection Conferences
• Secure Accommodation Order
• Deprivation of Liberty Orders (DOLs)
• Recovery Order
• Contact with a child in Care
• Special Guardianship Orders
• Discharge of Care Order
• Wardship – Inherent Jurisdiction Applications in the High Court
• Kinship Assessments, Viability Assessment and Connected Persons Assessments

Private Law Children Advice

• Adoption
• Where a child lives and who they spend time with (Child Arrangements Orders)
• Child Abduction
• Prohibited Steps Order
• Relocation Orders
• Specific Issue Orders
• Special Guardianship Orders
• Surrogacy

Matrimonial and Relationship Advice

• Divorce and Dissolution of Civil Partnerships
• Finances upon Divorce or Dissolution of Civil Partnerships
• Prenuptial / Pre-Civil Partnership Agreements & Postnuptial / Post Civil Partnership Agreements
• Unmarried couples Advice

Domestic Abuse & Personal Protection Advice

• Non-Molestation Orders
• Occupation Orders
• Forced Marriage Protection Orders

Please meet our Joint Head of the Family & Childcare Department

Max Konarek

Ryan Booth

We have a large department made up of a number of specialist fee earners who are ably supported by a combination of our expert administrators, secretaries, paralegals and caseworkers; all representing clients based nationwide in the following teams:

📍 East Dulwich Team (South London)

📍 Eskinazi Team (North London)

📍 FMW Team (West London)

📍 Hudgell Team (East London)

📍 Kent Team

📍 Leeds Team

📍 McGrath Team (Birmingham)

📍 Silks Team (Oldbury, Black Country)

In addition to our teams being based in the above locations, we have access to all of our other offices nationwide and regularly see clients there too, or remotely when required. We offer a service to clients both in the UK and abroad in a variety of types of family cases.

You can find more information about our family department here.

News

• Max Konarek, Partner and Joint Head of the Family & Childcare Department at GT Stewart reflects on the Suspected Inflicted Head Injury Service pilots in a recent article for the Solicitors Journal
• Partner, and Joint Head of the Family & Childcare Department, Max Konarek, has been quoted this week in the New Law Journal, the flagship weekly legal magazine from Lexis Nexis
• Max Konarek, Joint Head of the Family & Child Care Department has collaborated with the intermediary service, Communicourt, for a Q&A about the importance of intermediaries
• Max Konarek, Joint Head of the Family & Childcare Department considers further the information about the Suspected Inflicted Head Injury Service (SIHIS) pilots