Practice Areas
- Court of Protection - Vulnerable Adult
- Financial Remedies
- International Children Law
- Private Children Law
- Public Children Law
Awards
Leonard Sainer Legal Education Foundation Major BPTC Scholarship (2013)
International Chambers of Commerce International Mediation Competition, Quarter Finalist (2013)
The Worship Company of Arbitrators UK Mediation Skills Competition, Winner (2013)
Experience
Year of Call: 2015
Education
The City Law School, London – BPTC, Outstanding
University College London – LLM, Distinction
Cardiff University – LLB (Hons), First Class
Profile
Adele has a busy practice in all areas of children law, financial remedies and domestic abuse at all levels of the Family Court. She joined chambers after successful completion of her pupillage under the supervision of Nicholas Fairbank, Greg Davies and Ruth Kirby QC. She has extensive experience in complex financial remedy cases, public, private and international children work, and proceedings in the Court of Protection.
Adele is known for her thorough preparation, collaborative approach, pragmatic advice and ability to put clients at ease. She is a determined, forensically minded advocate who will fearlessly advance her client’s case at every hearing.
She is regularly led by leading junior counsel and by Queen’s Counsel, including Jo Delahunty QC.
Private Law and Domestic Abuse
Adele is regularly instructed in protracted and intricate private law matters, including cases involving implacable hostility and parental alienation, and internal and international relocations. She appeared as junior counsel in the seminal Court of Appeal case of Re H-N and Others (Children) (Domestic Abuse: Finding of fact hearings) and subsequently presented a Resolution seminar on the Court of Appeal judgment with Miriam Best.
Adele also provides pro bono advice and representation through the charity Not Beyond Redemption for women who are in or have left prison to assist in re-establishing and regenerating a relationship with their children.
Public Law and Court of Protection
Adele acts for parents, children (via their Children’s Guardian, and separately), grandparents and local authorities in proceedings involving non-accidental injuries, mental health problems, substance misuse and sexual abuse and domestic abuse. Her work regularly involves complex medical evidence and allegations of radicalisation, FGM, and forced marriage. Adele has a busy public law practice being led and instructed on her own.
International Child Law
Adele regularly appears in the High Court in cases concerning child abduction and issues relating to jurisdiction. She is often instructed in applications for summary return under the Hague Convention 1980, applications concerning wardship and the inherent jurisdiction.
Financial Remedies
Adele has a busy financial remedy practice. She is instructed at all stages of applications for financial relief, and in all types of proceedings including MPS, variation, enforcement and notice to show cause.
She is frequently instructed to advise pre proceedings and in round table meetings. Adele takes a pragmatic approach and works collaboratively to settle matters whilst ensuring her client’s needs are met. She is unrelenting in seeking to secure the optimal outcomes for her clients.
Previous experience and interests
Prior to commencing pupillage, Adele was a family paralegal at a leading firm of family law solicitors specialising in cases involving high net worth individuals often with an internal element. She volunteered for family law advice schemes and charities, including the National Centre for Domestic Violence. Through her paid and voluntary work Adele gained valuable experience assisting litigants in person and advising parties on matters relating to financial remedies, child arrangements, and applications for injunctive relief under the Family Law Act 1996.
Alongside her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in family law, Adele conducted research into judicial decision-making, and the provision of alternative dispute resolution and resources for divorcing couples and post-separation parenting disputes.
In her spare time Adele enjoys walking and running with her dogs Orla and Ava. She can also be spotted paddle boarding with Orla on the river Thames and on the North Norfolk Coast.
Professional Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Inner Temple
Association of Lawyers for Children
Affiliate member of Resolution