The Family & Child Care Team consists of Sarah Lerner Partner/Solicitor, Kim Joseph-Charles Solicitor, Lib Skinner, Solicitor, Harkirt Athwal, Solicitor, Darshana Patel, Trainee Solicitor, Saima Afzal, Trainee Solicitor.
Sarah LernerSarah Lerner is a Solicitor/Partner with overall responsibility for the Family & Child Care Team. She has been a member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Children Panel for over twenty years. She has extensive experience in representing children and parents involved in care proceedings. She is an experienced advocate with Rights of Audience in the Higher Courts. Sarah also practices in the areas of Community Care and Mental Health and is an accredited member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel. She is the author with Lib Skinner of the chapter ‘Childcare Law and Practice for Forensic Mental Health Practitioners’ in the publication ‘Forensic Mental Health’ (Oxford University Press 2010). "Sarah Lerner worked tirelessly for us and was always caring and helpful".
Email slerner@herefost.co.uk
Kim Joseph-CharlesKim Joseph-Charles is a Solicitor. She is a highly experienced Family Lawyer who has represented numerous clients in cases of Domestic Abuse, Residence and Contact Disputes and Ancillary Relief/Financial issues relating to divorce over many years. Kim has overall responsibility for the firm’s Private Family Law, and is a member of the Family Lawyer’s organisation Resolution. www.resolution.org.uk
Email kjosephcharles@herefost.co.uk
Lib SkinnerLib Skinner is an experienced Solicitor who has worked for many years in all aspects of Family Law. She now concentrates on Public Law Children Act cases representing children. She is an accredited member of the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority Children Panel. She is also a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Child Studies from Kings’ College London University. She is an experienced advocate with Rights of Audience in the Higher Courts. She is the author with Sarah Lerner of the chapter ‘Childcare Law and Practice for Forensic Mental Health Practitioners’ in the publication ‘Forensic Mental Health’ (Oxford University Press 2010). "She took great care and time….was pro-active in considering issues for the child". (Guardian Ad Litem).
Email lskinner@herefost.co.uk
Harkirt AthwalHarkirt Athwal is an experienced Solicitor who has worked for many years in all aspects of Family Law. She now concentrates on Public Law Children Act Cases representing children and families. She is an Accredited Member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Children Panel. "Harkirt is very helpful …. and very professional" (Guardian Ad Litem).
Email hathwal@herefost.co.uk
Darshana PatelDarshana Patel is a Trainee Solicitor. Darshana also undertakes Welfare Benefit and Debt work. "Darshana is extraordinary, excellent".
Email dpatel@herefost.co.uk
Saima AfzalSaima Afzal, Trainee Solicitor. Saima in the past has undertaken voluntary work at Women’s Domestic Refuge and at Citizens Advice Bureau. "Saima Afzal… is very helpful… she really is very good".
Email safzal@herefost.co.uk
Members of the Family Team speak Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
The Family and Child Care Law Team is a Member of the Association of Lawyers for Children which is an organisation of Lawyers representing children. It exists to promote access to justice for children and young people within the Legal system in England and Wales. Within that framework, its aim is to develop and improve the practice of Lawyers in meeting the needs of children who become involved in legal processes by promoting standards of best practice and interdisciplinary training.