Family - Children

Navpreeth practices in all areas of children’s law, with a particular interest in public law proceedings.

Public Law

Navpreeth regularly represents local authorities, parents, interveners and children in public law proceedings, including Advocates’ Meetings, Case Management Hearings, Issues Resolution Hearings, Case Settlement Conferences and Final Hearings. Navpreeth is frequently instructed to draft written documents, including case summaries, threshold documents and skeleton arguments. Additionally, Navpreeth offers advice in conference, where appropriate.

Navpreeth has experience in matters with complex issues such as non-accidental injuries to children, serious emotional harm and significant neglect. Navpreeth often works on cases where allegations of sexual, domestic or emotional abuse are alleged.

Navpreeth often represents parents and children with learning disabilities, mental health issues and/or substance misuse issues.

Recent cases

A Local Authority v B (2020): Following eight days of evidence, Navpreeth successfully opposed a local authority’s application for adoption where the mother had been found to have inflicted a non-accidental injury on the child. At the conclusion of the proceedings, the child was returned to the care of the mother.

P v A Local Authority (2021): Following a two-week trial involving multiple experts (psychologists, medical consultants, independent social workers), Navpreeth successfully opposed a father’s application for the discharge of a Care Order. Issues in the case included: domestic abuse, parents with significant learning needs, non-accidental injury and physical chastisement of the children.

Navpreeth also accepts instructions in:

• Parental alienation
• Applications for Deprivation of Liberty orders
• Applications for Secure Accommodation Orders
• Jurisdictional disputes

Private Law and Injunctions

Navpreeth accepts instructions for applications for Child Arrangements Orders, Enforcement Orders, Specific Issue Orders and Applications under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 by parents and Children’s Guardians appointed under Rule 16.4. Navpreeth has acted for parties alleging and/or disputing allegations of physical or sexual abuse of children, and domestic, sexual or emotional abuse. Navpreeth has experience of working with vulnerable clients and is commended for her ability to build up a rapport with those who instruct her.

Navpreeth accepts instructions in:

• Parental alienation
• Contact disputes
• Enforcement of Child Arrangements Orders
• Live with Orders – including pending time with parents and family members
• Name changes, internal relocation and removal of children from the jurisdiction.

Family - Finance

Navpreeth has acted in matrimonial finance matters, including at FDR and final hearing. She is able to advise on matters and draft documents in the case, including questionnaires, skeleton arguments and consent orders. Navpreeth is approachable and pragmatic when working with clients.

Court of Protection

Navpreeth is keen to develop a Court of Protection Practice and has shadowed Lucinda France-Hayhurst in a range of different matters. Navpreeth’s expertise in Family law means she is well-placed to deal with those matters which are the subjects of both Family law and Court of Protection legislation.