SPECIALIST AREAS OF PRACTICE
- All aspects of Child Care Law
- Child Abduction
- Private Family Law
- Mental Health
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Miss Heppenstall completed a specialist family pupillage and practiced on the North Eastern Circuit until joining 9 St John Street in December 2000. Her practice is dedicated to family law children work with both public and private law experience - the emphasis being upon all aspects of child care work and more particularly care and adoption proceedings.
In public law children proceedings, Miss Heppenstall regularly advises and acts on behalf of Local Authorities, parents, children, the Official Solicitor and intervenors. She has appeared at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal. She has considerable experience in cases involving non - accidental injury, physical/sexual abuse, parents with significant learning and/or mental health difficulties, and immigration issues.
She is also instructed on behalf of Police Authorities/Local Authorities and NHS Trusts in disclosure and public interest immunity applications in both the family and criminal jurisdictions.
She acts for Guardians in particular in private law children proceedings, including abduction/leave to remove from the jurisdiction cases and matters involving forced marriage.
Miss Heppenstall has been and continues to be involved in accredited training for Solicitors and Local Authorities.
NOTABLE CASES
Greater Manchester Chief Constable v KI & Anor (Children) & Ors [2007] EWHC 1837 (Fam)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For further information please contact the Senior Civil Clerk, Tony Morrissey, or one of the Assistant Civil Clerks: Chris Swann, Jane Slingsby, Julia Lanza, Steve Walker or Peader McKinstry.
Rachael Heppenstall "Is a very experienced and respected children law practioner" Legal 500 - 2007
Rachael Heppenstall "Has an excellent way with clients' and has developed her children practice well" Legal 500 2006
Family CV
