Family Group
This highly specialised and sensitive area of law receives skilled attention from the team of family specialists at Number 30 Park Place. Most of the members of the team practice almost exclusively in the area of family law.
Representation is provided, both by Leading and Junior Counsel, at all levels, from the Family Proceedings Courts to the House of Lords, and in all aspects of family litigation, to a variety of clients, including lay, local authorities and CAFCASS Legal.
With the relatively recent advent of the Judicial Protocol for the Management of Public Law Children Act cases, the Family Team at 30 Park Place have introduced its own protocol in response, one of its aims being to ensure continuity of Counsel wherever possible. In situations where this is not possible, however, the family clerks will liaise closely with instructing solicitors, to ensure that suitable alternative Counsel, preferably of instructing solicitor's choice, undertakes the Court appointment in question; with liaison with "lead" or "first choice" counsel instructed in the case taking place in most cases both prior to, and after the hearing, in order to ensure maximum efficiency and minimized cost.
Moreover, in recognition of the growing costs of litigation, bespoke negotiated fee arrangements are available both for private clients and local authorities. As part of its commitments under the QualityMark standards, Chambers ensures that a clear and straightforward fee structure is implemented in all cases.
Following the recent coming into force of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Family Team at 30 Park Place has been proactive in providing continuing professional education on the new law and procedures to our solicitor clients, as part of the Family Team's general commitment to providing ongoing useful updates on the development and progression of family law.
In addition to the Team's recognised expertise in Public Law proceedings, there is also a body of expertise at all levels within the group in respect of the financial aspects of family law. The team boasts two Queen's Counsel who are widely acknowledged - on Circuit and beyond - to excel in the field of ancillary relief, and who, over recent years, have appeared in some of the most high profile and high value financial provision cases in Wales. In addition to this expertise at a senior level, there is a strong group of practitioners in financial provision at all levels of junior counsel in the team.
In addition, those practitioners who have knowledge and expertise in relevant Chancery and trust law principles and Civil Procedure, offer specialist representation in cohabitee disputes and Inheritance Act claims. There are several practitioners within the group who specialise in the ever-growing field of cohabitee and co-ownership disputes, including claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 and applications for financial provision under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989.
Members of the Family Group all belong to the Family Law Bar Association and provide strength in depth to clients by offering the largest truly specialist group of family practitioners in Wales.
