4/5 GRANGE ROAD WEST, JARROW, TYNE & WEAR, NE32 3JA
FAMILY
LAW
Our family team understands that the breakdown of a relationship is often a very difficult time, particularly when children are involved. There are many issues to discuss and negotiate in relation to the separation itself, finances, property and arrangements for the children. We pride ourselves in providing tailored advice to suit the needs of each individual client whilst always being understanding and approachable.
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Our family team also recognises that when social services become involved with your family it can be an extremely worrying time. We are able to provide assistance, advice and support at child protection conferences and pre-proceedings meetings as well as representation at court hearings. We understand that social services involvement and attending Court can be extremely daunting and that offering support and reassurance to clients is just as important as the legal advice itself.
QUALITY
LEGAL ADVICE
Divorce & Dissolution of Civil Partnerships
Financial Settlements
Domestic Abuse
Child Arrangements
Child Protection & Social Services Involvement
Care Proceedings
Adoption
Change of Name Deeds
THE FAMILY TEAM
JULIA HALLING
Julia is a Director at the firm and is Head of the Family department. She is a specialist family law solicitor with over 20 years' of experience in matrimonial work.
Julia is a member of the Law Society’s Family Panel and Children Panel. She regularly represents children, parents, grandparents and other family members in care proceedings and in cases when social services are involved with a family. She has experience in dealing with all aspects of care proceedings including complex non-accidental injury cases and cases involving fabricated or induced illnesses. She also has a wealth of experience in private law children matters including child arrangements, contact and residence negotiations and specific issues relating to a child.
Julia has also regularly acted in other family matters including divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships, separation, cohabitation, financial settlements and domestic abuse.
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Julia has been described by clients as extremely knowledgeable, friendly and reassuring. She is able to put clients at ease during what are often difficult times.
NICOLE RANNIGAN
Nicole joined us as a Paralegal in July 2022. Nicole has completed a Degree in Law LLB (Hons) and the Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University. Nicole assists our fee earners in all family matters and is described as friendly and likeable by collegaues and clients.
BROGAN STIFF
Brogan is a Trainee Solicitor in our family department. She joined the team in July 2021 after achieving a 2:1 in her Law Degree LLB (Hons) at Sunderland University. She continued to study and completed the LLM Legal Practice Course in January 2022 whilst gaining experience in our family department.
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Brogan quickly proved herself to be conscientious, efficient and extremely able. She is very well-liked by colleagues and clients. She has already gained a wealth of experience in divorce and finance work, PLOs, child arrangements, non-molestation orders and assisting in care proceedings cases. She is due to qualify as a solicitor in September 2023.
JILL HETHERINGTON
Jill initially joined our team in 2006. She left to have a family before returning as our family secretary in early 2022.
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Jill is extremely experienced and very efficient. She is an integral part of the team.
OUR FEES
Subject to eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to Legal Help or Legal Aid in some cases, in particular care proceedings and cases involving social services, or domestic abuse. If you think you may be eligible for Legal Help or Legal Aid, please contact us and we will carry out an assessment of your financial circumstances. We may need proof of income and bank statements at your first appointment.
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In matters where Legal Aid is not available, you may instruct us on a privately paid basis. We acknowledge that sometimes, proceedings can be expensive and therefore we try to keep our costs to a minimum and are happy to discuss fee arrangements with our clients. We produce regular interim bills in order to split costs evenly throughout the case and make costs more manageable.
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At the commencement of all privately funded matters a payment of £100 plus VAT is required. This covers the initial appointment and an Advice letter. If further work is required, fees for that work will be discussed at the initial appointment.
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Due to recent cuts to Legal Aid in family matters, we also offer a reduced rate scheme to clients that previously may have been entitled to Legal Aid. If you think that you may be eligible, please let us know and we will assess you for our scheme.
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HOURLY RATES
Director
HOURLY RATES
Senior Associate
Attendance Preparation
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Travel Waiting
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Hearing (Advocacy)
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Court attendance with Counsel
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Letters/Emails Out
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Letters Emails In
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£200.00
£140.00
£220.00
£20.00
£10.00
Attendance Preparation
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Travel Waiting
​
​
Hearing (Advocacy)
​
​
Court attendance with Counsel
​
Letters/Emails Out
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Letters Emails In
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£180.00
£120.00
£200.00
£200.00
£9.00
£180.00
£18.00
HOURLY RATES
Associate
HOURLY RATES
Paralegal/Trainee
Attendance Preparation
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Travel Waiting
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Hearing (Advocacy)
​
Court attendance
with Counsel
​
Letters/Emails Out
​
Letters Emails In
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£160.00
£100.00
£180.00
£160.00
£16.00
Attendance Preparation
​
Travel Waiting
​
Hearing (Advocacy)
​
Court attendance
with Counsel
​
Letters/Emails Out
​
Letters Emails In
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£140.00
£80.00
£160.00
£140.00
£14.00
£8.00
£7.00