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Introduction

Hazel qualified as a solicitor with higher rights of audience in 2016. She was called to the Bar in 2021. Hazel has extensive experience in public children law proceedings from in-house positions, including LB Brent, from 2016-2021. Prior to this, Hazel represented individuals in mental health law between 2013-2016. Earlier, between 2007 and 2011 Hazel represented individuals in debt, benefits, employment and other welfare matters, whilst with the Citizens Advice Bureaux and Free Representation Unit. In between 2011-2012 Hazel was a County Court Advocate with LPC Law Solicitors, representing creditors. Hazel is therefore a well-rounded lawyer with experience of acting on both sides, and has a clear understanding of the context in which child protection and safeguarding issues arise.

Family Law

Hazel specialises in public and private law children matters, with a focus on public children law proceedings. In public law proceedings Hazel takes instructions from local authorities, parents, grandparents, official solicitors and guardians covering the whole range of hearings from EPOs, contested ICOs, CMH, IRH, contested designation, to final hearings and fact find. She regularly appears in the High Court dealing with DOLs, secure accommodation orders and non-disclosure applications. Alongside advocacy, Hazel also runs a busy paper-based practice and is regularly instructed to draft threshold documents, Scott schedules, skeleton arguments, and written opinions.

Local authorities can rely on Hazel’s immense experience from her in-house positions. On the other hand, parents, relatives, and guardians will benefit from Hazel’s ‘inside’ knowledge of local authorities. She can work with vulnerable clients and witnesses in a sensitive manner and has undertaken the vulnerable witness advocacy training.

Mental Health Law

Between 2013 and 2016 Hazel worked for a large South-East specialist mental health law firm initially as a paralegal and then as trainee solicitor. She passionately represented clients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended) and ‘nearest relatives’, at Hospital Managers and First-Tier Tribunal hearings, and at CPA/s117 meetings. She went on to gain Accreditation under the Law Society’s Mental Health Scheme, demonstrating a high level of competence in mental health law. Hazel welcomes instructions to represent patients detained under the Mental Health Act as well as nearest relatives in the County Courts.

Interests

When Hazel is not preparing cases, she enjoys park runs, playing the piano, countryside walks and museums. She also has a keen interest in fitness and organic plant based food. She is well known for making Seville marmalade every January, and strawberry jam every summer. She is an active member of her local church and enjoys teaching Sunday school. Most recently, Hazel has become a governor for a local school. 

Publications


Areas of Expertise

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Qualifications & Appointments

  • LLB Law, University of Southampton (2006)
  • Legal Practice Course, College of Law (2007)
  • Admission as Solicitor-Advocate (2016)
  • Called to the bar, Middle Temple (2021)

Memberships

  • Middle Temple
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Association of Lawyers for Children

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