Family finances

Siân has extensive experience in matrimonial proceedings and is often instructed in cases involving international elements, trusts, businesses, third party interests and hidden assets.  She advises and represents clients in relation to pre and post nuptial agreement,  jurisdictional issues, and in high net worth cases.  Siân focuses on providing considered, clear and practical advice from the outset. She is extremely effective in achieving results through negotiation and in court. Siân is able to assist on applications for financial provision under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 and financial disputes between cohabitees under the Trusts of Land and Appointments of Trustees Act 1996.   Siân is available to act as a private FDR Judge.

Children

Siân is a very experienced children practitioner who puts her clients at ease whilst providing expert representation.  She undertakes the full range of private law children matters often representing parents and family members in cases involving complex factual and legal issues including international and jurisdictional disputes.  She has expertise in cases involving allegations of coercive control, economic, sexual and physical abuse as well as intractable contact disputes and allegations of parental alienation.  Siân’s background in public law work means that she has a wide experience of cases where local authorities are involved including where there is complex medical evidence or allegations of non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, fabricated or induced illness, neglect, substance misuse and emotional abuse.  She advises on applications involving specific welfare issues such as proposed relocations (UK and abroad), religious upbringing and school selection.

Notable Cases

• K v K - Financial remedy proceedings involving determination of third party interests in investment properties.  
• M v C - Complex financial remedy proceedings involving a third party application for a charging order as well as pre and post separation financial conduct allegations.  
• N v S - Application for variation of periodical payments orders in high net worth case.  
• B v W  - Application for permission to relocate to the USA and cross-applications for residence.   
• L v P - Jurisdictional dispute between Scotland and England in children proceedings.  
• C v S - Non-Hague abduction wardship case involving Pakistan.    
• D v D - Fact-finding hearing in children proceeding concerning allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour.  
• G (Children: Intractable Dispute) [2019] EWCA Civ 548
• Y (A Child) (S.38(6) Assessment) [2018] EWCA Civ 992
• P-G (Children) [2015] EWCA Civ 1025
• Hampshire County Council v A, B, C, D & E [2015] EWFC B186

Training and Lecturing

Siân regularly gives seminars and bespoke in-house training in all her practice areas.  She delivers vulnerable witness advocacy training to members of the Family Bar.  Siân was previously part of a team that gave lectures in private law children topics at the Judicial College.  She has authored articles in Family Law, Family Affairs (FLBA Newsletter) and Counsel Magazine.  Siân is a member of the Family Law Week team providing questions for the financial remedies CPD programme.