Direct Access Barrister

Lee Michael Kelleher

I am a specialist family law barrister with particular experience in cases which involve where a child should live and with whom they should spend time. My cases often involve domestic abuse and alcohol/drug misuse.

I also have a busy practice advising on financial matters following a divorce/civil partnership.

I have extensive experience acting on behalf of parents, members of the family and the children’s guardian who have been appointed on behalf of the child. I am often instructed on multi-day fact-finding/final hearings where serious allegations of domestic abuse have been alleged. My cases often involve a rule 16.4 Guardian being appointed and have a quasi-public law element to them where social services are involved.

I am also instructed at all stages of a financial case following divorce/civil partnership. My cases often involve multiple properties, pensions and assets outside of the U.K.

Area of Law

Family

As noted above, my experience relates to private law children where one party has applied for the child(ren) to live with them or spend time with them.

The cases I am instructed in are often complex involving serious allegations, substance misuse or parental alienation.

Cases of note for me have included:

5-day fact-finding hearing involving allegations of sexual and physical violence

Multi-day fact-finding hearing involving sexual, physical and honour-based violence

3-day final hearing acting for special guardians which resulted in the child residing with his clients

Multi-day final hearing representing grandparents who ultimately obtained a “live with” order in their favour

Successfully opposing an appeal by one parent to relocate to Poland with the child

In relation to finances following the breakdown of a marriage/civil partnership, cases of note have included ‘barder’ events, intervenors and arguments in respect of concluded agreements.

What sort of work do I do?

In respect of private law children work, I am often instructed in cases involving the below:

Domestic abuse
Physical/sexual/emotional harm
Substance misuse
Shared care/live with/contact
Relocation
Parental alienation
Prohibited Steps Order
Specific Issue i.e. change of name/school location
Fact finding
Final hearings
Appeals

In respect of financial remedies i.e finances following breakdown of marriage/civil partnership, I accept instructions at all stages. I am regularly instructed in FDR's and final hearings.

Who do I work for?

I am regularly instructed by parents or family members, such as grandparents relating to the living/contact arrangements for the child(ren).

In relation to the financial aspects following the breakdown of a marriage/civil partnership, I often act for a spouse/civil partner. I also have experience acting for intervenors such as a family member who has a financial interest in a property, for example.

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