When did I decide to become a Solicitor?
I informed my parents when I was 14 that I wanted to become a solicitor. I assume looking back that at that age I did not really know what it entailed. I am now talking about a long time ago and the training was very different then than it is now. I studied Law at Birmingham University and was then an articled clerk to a local solicitor for 2 years. An articled clerk is now known as a trainee solicitor.
Why did I chose Family law?
I decided at university that I wanted to specialise in Family Law. When I qualified (now don’t laugh in 1978) I immediately began to work in Family law but at that time, as it was a High Street firm, I also had to a bit of all other areas.
I specialised just in family from about 1984 onwards and I have never regretted this decision. I have always enjoyed working with people. Working as an associate solicitor in Family law is different everyday so it is always interesting.
What is my typical day as an Associate Solicitor?
My daily routine is as follows, although each day can be different:
- Checking emails that have been received and answering where necessary.
- Attending on new clients for TEA meetings.
- I advise clients regarding;
- Divorce proceedings.
- Financial proceedings that arise from the divorce on division of assets maintenance and sharing pensions.
- Disputes regarding children with whom the children live and how often they see the other parent.
- Cohabitation agreements
- Pre – nuptial agreements.
- Non molestation proceedings
- Preparing divorce proceedings and correspondence with the court and the opposing spouse.
- Letters of advice to clients.
- Correspondence with the opposing spouse or their solicitor.
- Preparing applications for court
- Attending court with the client to represent before the Judge or magistrates.
- Preparing and sending briefs to counsel.
- Preparing draft orders for court hearings.
- Negotiating in correspondence with the opposing party to try to reach settlement either in finances in divorce or arrangements for children.
- Dealing with exchange of financial disclosure in divorce with the spouse and carefully perusing spouses disclosure, including carefully checking bank statements. Thereafter preparing questionnaires on the disclosure to ensure all relevant assets have been found.
- Advising on expert reports that are necessary, eg. Pension reports from expert pension actuaries, shadow accountant reports on opposing parties’ financial disclosure
- Referring clients to mediators.
- Drafting statements.
- Preparation of financial Form E in financial remedy proceedings in divorce.
- Attending seminars to maintain CPD.
Court hearings
Court hearings can be extremely interesting. Unfortunately, as the proceedings are often very emotional for your client, they can need some hand holding. In particular in children disputes, there can be considerable negotiation at court to try to resolve arrangements for the children to see the other parent.
In financial disputes, there are negotiations to try to reach a division of assets between the spouses to save them having to go to a final hearing when the judge reaches that decision for them.
Balancing being an Associate Solicitor and personal life
- I am currently the President of Halesowen & Rowley Regis Rotary Club. I am often seen on the Santa sleigh dressed as a reindeer or an elf.
- I am also a volunteer for Blue Cross animal charity at Bromsgrove. I am Quizmaster for their regular quizzes and I also do the commentary at their dog shows during the Summer. I can also be seen at their Spring Fayre dressed as an Easter Bunny and at the Autumn Fayre as a scarecrow.
- I enjoy walking with my long suffering husband and my dog, Coco.
- I love pointing out to everyone that I can that my daughter, Gemma, is an actor/writer and was in the Christmas episode of Dr Who last December.
- Finally, I have completed 4 Firewalks and a Glasswalk.