Sandra is a Children Law specialist with extensive experience in care proceedings, Private law disputes (including International relocation of children), adoption, child abduction, wardship and forced marriages.
Sandra practises mainly in the High Court and County Courts representing local authorities, parents, childrens guardians and other family members. She is often instructed by Cafcass and Cafcass Legal and has also acted for local authorities in relation to PII in criminal cases.
Sandra is qualified to take on work on a direct access basis.
Practice
The majority of Sandra’s care cases relate to non-accidental injury (including skull fractures and subdural haematoma, multiple fractures, bone disorders and serious bruising) as well as sexual abuse, drugs, alcohol, mental health and chronic neglect. A significant number of her cases have involved complex medical and clinical evidence as well as parallel criminal proceedings, where a parent has been accused and convicted of killing a partner.
Recent Event
Co-Chair for Nagalro Conference on 4th October 2021 entitled ‘Black Childrens Lives Matter - How you can best serve them’
Reported Cases
Re: M-Y [2018] EWCA Civ 1306
Re : RP [2019] EWCA Civ 680
Medway Council v MI & Ors [2016] EWFC 74
Medway Council v JB & Ors [2015] EWHC 3064 (Fam)
Re: S (Wardship: Peremptory Return) [2010] EWCA Civ 465 [2010] 2FLR 1960
Degree/University
LLB (Hons)
Scholarships
Inner Temple
Leonard Woodley QC
Areas of Practice
Family Law Public [including with International, FGM and terrorism elements]
Family Law Private [including international re-location and child abduction]
Deprivation of Liberty
Court of Protection
Memberships
Inner Temple
Association of Lawyers for Children
Family Law Bar Association
NAGALRO