Child Care Team

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Julia is a Child Care Law Specialist having qualified initially as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in May 1993 and then a solicitor in 2007. She became a partner in 2015.

Julia became a member of The Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme in 2009 and now undertakes exclusively public and private law children work. She represents parents, children and other family members in dealing with all types of child care law including Care proceedings, Special Guardianship proceedings, Child Arrangement Orders and Adoption.

Julia undertakes most of her own advocacy when available which she believes enhances her knowledge of the case and provides consistency of representation for her clients both in the office and at court.

Julia especially enjoys working for children directly, or with the assistance of a children’s guardian and feels very strongly that the voice of the child must be heard.

In her free time, Julia has an active social life which she shares with her husband. She enjoys travelling and keeping fit.

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Kate specialises in Child Care Law representing children and parents in public law proceedings. Kate deals with all types of Child Care law within Care proceedings, including Special Guardianship Orders, Child Arrangement Orders and Adoption proceedings. Kate undertakes much of her own advocacy ensuring that her clients have consistency and feel supported in the court environment.  She recognises the importance of clear communication and is committed to supporting her parent clients to make the necessary changes to be able to care for their children.

This is Kate’s second career having previously worked directly with children, young people and parents for  over twenty years. Kate has a first class honours degree in Law (LLB), a LLM and a postgraduate Diploma in Mediation. She is also a qualified Executive Coach.

Kate qualified as a solicitor in 2017  and  became a member of The Law Society’s Children Law accreditation scheme in 2020.

Outside of work Kate enjoys kayaking, travel, crafting and spending time with her grandchildren.

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Rachel has recently qualified as a solicitor representing and supporting parents through the PLO process (pre proceedings).  She is passionate about ensuring that her clients have access to the support services they need to help them to make the changes necessary to improve their parenting and care of the children, to reduce the possibility of the local authority issuing care proceedings.  Should the local authority issue care proceedings, Rachel represents parents during the court proceedings.   Rachel also undertakes some of her own advocacy, meaning that parents have consistency in representation throughout their involvement with the Local Authority.

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Ella graduated with a degree in Law (LLB) from Nottingham Trent University in 2022 and shortly after joined David Barney & Co in the Childcare department as a Legal Assistant.

In January 2025, Ella began training as a solicitor under the supervision of Kate Williams whilst studying for the Legal Practice Course. Ella works with the team to represent and support parents through PLO and Care Proceedings. She often communicates with parents directly and understands the importance of ensuring client’s feel supported and listened to throughout the entire process.

In her spare time, Ella enjoys travelling to new places with her family and friends, reading and trying new restaurants.

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Child Care Department Support Team

Our support team are Ella and Nicola both of which are dedicated to maintaining our high standards and helping you achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family.  They are friendly, approachable and care about supporting you.