I was called to the Bar in 2000 and undertook a 12-month pupillage at 1 Hare Court. From 2001 to 2010, I was a tenant at 1 Garden Court, Family Law Chambers (now known as 1GC/Family Law) where I had a very busy and successful practice across all areas of family law. I joined Porter Dodson as in-house counsel in 2010 after relocating from London back to my native Dorset. I was appointed as a Deputy District Judge sitting on the Western Circuit in the Civil Division in 2024.

I have extensive experience as an advocate and specialist legal advisor in the three main areas of family law: matrimonial finance, private law children and public law children work, together with Trusts of Land disputes. I regularly represent spouses/partners, parents, children and intervening third parties in the very toughest financial and children cases. I undertake work at all levels of the court process across the West Country and often appear in the High Court.

I provide pragmatic advice to clients and will not shy from endeavouring to reach a creative outcome for a case where it meets the needs of a family. I have vast experience of negotiating settlements at every stage of the court process but will represent my clients with an eye for detail and the necessary vigour in those cases that proceed to trial. I have useful experience of the local courts and a keen understanding of the importance for clients of departing the legal process with a workable outcome for the future. At Porter Dodson we have experienced the untold benefits for clients in having confidence that their potential trial advocate can be involved with the fee earner conducting their case from the very outset, if required.  This provides a consistent, efficient and supportive framework for clients who can develop a trusted working relationship with us and be saved the uncertainty of reliance upon meeting new external counsel at a later stage in the advisory process.

In my limited spare time I relish precious opportunities to spend time with family before they flee the nest, walk or jog lamely around the West Country with the dogs or stare at the sea.  I particularly treasure being part of a thriving rural community and participating in village life.