Family Law, Collaborative Law, Child Abduction
Following qualification I worked in the fields of Family and Mental Health Law for 2 years. Since then I have practised family law exclusively.
I am a Resolution Accredited specialist and follow the Resolution code of practice whenever possible. Resolution is an organisation which supports solicitors dealing with cases in a non-confrontational way which in my experience promotes the best way of achieving a more satisfactory result for all concerned. I endeavour to approach all cases in a sensitive way, always bearing in mind that often the people involved are likely to have to have an ongoing relationship in some form after the legal proceedings have come to an end, particularly when children are involved.
I am on the West and North Yorkshire Resolution Committee who help to promote Resolution in the local area and keep Resolution members up to date with changes in the Law.
I am one of the first solicitors practising in Bradford to have trained as a collaborative lawyer. The Collaborative law process is a new way of dealing with issues arising on the breakdown of a relationship. Both parties have a lawyer and the issues are discussed and hopefully resolved by way of four way meetings which take place at one of the lawyers' offices with both lawyers and both clients being present. The parties set the agenda about what is to be discussed at the meetings and the timetable for the meetings i.e. you and your former partner are in control of the process, as opposed to what would happen if you were involved in court proceedings or even a resolution of the issues by correspondence. The role of the lawyers is to work with their client offering legal advice as necessary, and to ensure that the process stays positive and productive. In most cases an agreement is reached and this can be embodied in a court order if that is considered necessary, without either of you having to attend at court. At the outset of the case the lawyers agree that if an agreement is not reached they will pass the case to another firm of solicitors, so they have a lot invested in the process as well.
The collaborative process is not for everyone but is an alternative to the more traditional ways of resolving family disputes. If you would like more information about what is involved please telephone me or log onto http://www.collabfamilylaw.org.uk
I also deal with cases in the traditional ways of negotiation or through the court process if this is your preference.
I can advise on a wide range of family law issues to include the following:-
I have a particular interest in resolving the financial aspects of a relationship breakdown and have gained extensive experience in this field.
I am also a specialist in the area of Child Abduction Law and deal with this type of work out of hours as the case demands. I am on the Lord Chancellor’s panel of solicitors to whom this type of work is referred, and act for the parents from all over the world whose children have been abducted to this jurisdiction. I also act for the parent who has brought the child to this country. This is a highly specialised area of law and I would always recommend that anyone involved in Wardship or Hague convention proceedings contacts a specialist lawyer.
I work 4 days a week, one of these days usually from home. I ensure whenever practicable that I can be contacted if an emergency arises which needs to be dealt with immediately.
You can contact me on 01274 379454 (direct dial)
01274 305380 (reception)
My email address is
steph.adams@williscroft.co.uk
