Family Law Training – Communicating with vulnerable clients

Please use the booking form below to register for an in-person place. To request online attendance, please email anoushak@gclaw.co.uk.

Programme Overview

The Law

• Overview of Family Procedure Rules r3A
• Practice Direction 3AA
• Vulnerability – not confined to Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and learning difficulties
• Broader consideration of dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, speech & language difficulties and a spotlight on PTSD
• Overview of the case law

• Toolkits
  • General principles and specific toolkits

Practicalities

• Neurological response to stress/overview fight or flight freeze response
• “The veil of competence” and how to identify hidden vulnerabilities
• Practical steps to assist your client in negotiating proceedings
• Intermediary assessments 
• The impact of the new Public Law Order

Speakers

Rebekah Wilson, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
A highly experienced and dedicated child and family law practitioner, Rebekah acts in factually and legally complex cases for all parties in public law and private law proceedings (securing residence orders, contact orders and orders involving removal from the jurisdiction) and ancillary relief.  Rebekah has appeared in many significant reported cases in both public and private children's law, involving highly complex legal and factual issues including; deprivation of liberty, habitual residence, allegations of inflicted injuries to children, allegations of fabricated and induced illnesses, breaches of the Human Rights Act, domestic abuse and discrimination. Rebekah is a dedicated family law practitioner.

Amanda Weston KC, Garden Court Chambers
Amanda acts in cases in the Family Division, Administrative Court and appeal courts where the rights of children and young people are at play. Her particular areas of ‘crossover’ expertise involve safeguarding, local authority corporate parenting duties, education and disability, deprivation of liberty, immigration and citizenship matters and sensitive cross-cultural areas including FGM, 'radicalisation', trafficking and forced marriage. She advises on and undertakes human rights claims for children and young people. 

She provides representation and advises courts, the Official Solicitor and local authorities on cross-cutting duties to children and young people, including care leavers, arising under the Children Acts, Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act, Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Amanda also acts for 16/17-year-olds in the Court of Protection (instructed by the Official Solicitor) and in complex ‘age assessment’ cases. She has extensive experience of ‘closed material’ procedures and of representing both children and adults on the autistic spectrum who require adjustments or support to access justice.

Amanda Meusz, Garden Court Chambers
Amanda has always been interested in the rights of children in the context of legal proceedings and in the wider society. Her practice relates to all areas of the law relating to children, including the provision of services to children, and young people. She has always been a passionate advocate for the rights of children and the most vulnerable parents in society.  She has considerable experience in representing parents and children who have been the victims of trauma, parents and children with mental health or neurodevelopmental difficulties and learning disabilities.

Her client care is second to none, always compassionate, and focused on achieving the best possible outcome. Amanda has developed some innovative practices to assist vulnerable clients in negotiating proceedings and the aftermath of proceedings. Amanda is committed to providing representation to survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of abuse.

Amanda won Family Law Case of the Year at the Family Law Awards 2022. She acted for the children's guardian in the Supreme Court case of H-W (Children) (No 2) [2022] UKSC 17.