Private Law

Lee has a busy practice in private law children matters. He is often instructed on multi-day fact-finding/final hearings where serious allegations of domestic abuse have been alleged. Lee’s cases often involve a rule 16.4 Guardian being appointed and have a quasi-public law element to them where social services are involved.

His experience covers initial hearings right up to an appeal. He has experience relating to sensitive issues and has acted (although not exhaustive) in cases involving the below:

• Domestic abuse
• Physical/sexual/emotional harm
• Substance misuse
• Shared care/live with/contact
• Relocation
• Parental alienation
• Prohibited Steps Order
• Specific Issue i.e. change of name/school location
• Fact finding
• Final hearings
• Appeals

Cases of note for Lee have included:

• H v A – successfully persuaded the court to order a fact-finding hearing despite a previous order determining that such a hearing was not necessary. Findings of domestic abuse were made at the fact-finding hearing.
• S v M – There had been historic public law proceedings and findings that father alienated the children, which extended to mother’s life being at risk. Lee secured an order pursuant to s9(6) of the Children Act 1989 restricting contact to supervised until the child was 18.
• AF v AM [2023] EWFC 153 - represented Father in a relocation case before a Circuit Judge. 
• H v H - Successfully represented Father at a 3-day final hearing re internal relocation. Cafcass recommended that the child be permitted to relocate with Mother several hours away from Father. Following the evidence, the court agreed with Father that the child’s welfare demanded that he remain in his current location and granted shared care.
• I v J-  Successfully represented Father at a 4 day fact-finding hearing involving serious allegations of domestic abuse, including honour based violence. All allegations against Father were dismissed. Immediate order for direct contact.
• R v B -Successfully represented M at a final hearing concerning the contact arrangements for two children. The court ordered no direct contact between the Father and children due to concerns and also ordered a non-molestation order pursuant to s42 FLA 1996 due to Father’s behaviour.
• N v K - Successfully opposed an appeal by Mother on behalf of Father before Mrs Justice Morgan. The Mother sought to appeal a Circuit Judge’s decision and that she should be permitted to relocate to Poland with the child. Appeal refused.
• K v K - Represented Mother in a 5-day fact-finding hearing involving serious allegations of domestic abuse, including rape. The Father was a serving police officer.

Family Finance

Lee is regularly instructed for all stages of a case. He has experience of contested intervener applications and multi-day final hearings.

He has extensive experience of representing clients at FDR’s (including private FDR’s) and final hearing. Lee is very pragmatic in his approach with clients and recognises the importance of an early outcome to save stress and money for his clients.

Noteable Cases

• B v B -  Represented H at a 5-day preliminary issues hearing involving five of his family members asserting an ownership over businesses and properties. The case involved over 10 witnesses giving oral evidence.

• D v D – a case involving allegations of transferring assets to a third party and deliberate non-compliance of court orders.

• K v B – an application pursuant to the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984. The case involved assets in the U.K and the Middle East.

• S v S – a case involving assets in the UK and North America. Pensions in this case exceeded £700,000.