Direct Access Barrister
STEVE K. HARGREAVES
Direct Access Barrister
STEVE K. HARGREAVES
I REPRESENT PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS,
& CHILDREN DIRECT, AND/ OR WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A CHILDREN'S GUARDIAN, IN BOTH PRIVATE LAW CHILD ARRANGEMENTS & PUBLIC LAW (LOCAL AUTHORITY) MATTERS.
AN INTEREST IN DIVORCE AND PROPERTY MATTERS, HAVING DEALT WITH MANY COMPLEX FINANCIAL DISPUTES.
WITH A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE FOLLOWING:-
- COMPLEX ISSUES OF RESIDENCE & CONTACT WITH CHILDREN, PROHIBITED STEPS & SPECIFIC ISSUE ORDERS (E.G.) REMOVAL FROM THE JURISDICTION, AND/OR RELOCATION CASES.
- TRUSTS OF LAND & RELATED DISPUTES CONCERNING LAND, INCLUDING COHABITATION DISPUTES.
- FAMILY & CIVIL INJUNCTIONS (NON-MOLESTATION & OUSTER APPLICATIONS).
-DRAFTING:
(E.G.) SEPARATION & COHABITATION AGREEMENTS; CHILDREN ACT APPLICATIONS; DIVORCES, INCLUDING UNDER THE NEW LAW.
- LANDLORD & TENANT DISPUTES.
- BREACH OF CONTRACT,
& NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS.
-PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE, & PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE MATTERS.
YOU MAY INSTRUCT ME FOR AN ENTIRE CASE, OR FOR AN ISOLATED MATTER OR ISSUE [E.G] DRAFTING A STATEMENT, A PLEADING, OR A LETTER TO ANOTHER PARTY, SETTING OUT YOUR CASE OR PROPOSALS; NO ISSUE IS TOO SMALL!
Area of Law
Costs
All aspects of costs-related work:
Barristers that specialise in costs deal with any arguments relating to the fees and charges that an unsuccessful party to a claim is told to pay by the court or which a solicitor bills to their own client.
Family
With many years of experience in Family & Children law, including 30 years as a Family solicitor & Higher Courts Advocate. Expertise in all aspects of Private & Public children law. Representation of children direct in proceedings & via a Children's Guardian. Representation of parents, grandparents & wider family members in proceedings, particularly in applications made by the Local Authority (e.g.) Care Proceedings.
Expertise in Divorce proceedings and breakdown in cohabitant relationships.
I am also able to conduct the proceedings on your behalf, where appropriate,
so that a solicitor is not required at all.
I can negotiate on your behalf in correspondence with a view to resolving matters & to avoid litigation.
I can arrange for Mediation.
You may instruct me to correspond with the other party’s solicitor, or simply send a letter on your behalf, setting out your position.
I will provide ‘unbundled’ services, as required.
A “fixed fee” can be agreed for specified work.
Landlord and Tenant
I have represented both landlords and tenants in proceedings over many years in possession proceedings, with countless successful outcomes (e.g.) in the County Court; including in mortgage possession proceedings.
What sort of work do I do?
I HAVE A WEALTH OF PRIOR EXPERIENCE AS A CHILDREN PANEL & ADVANCED FAMILY LAW PANEL SOLICITOR & SOLICITOR HIGHER COURT ADVOCATE.
I HAVE PREVIOUS ADVOCACY EXPERIENCE PRACTISING IN THE CRIMINAL COURTS, PRIOR TO SPECIALISING AS A CHILDREN & FAMILY LAW EXPERT.
EXPERTISE IN DIVORCE & RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN, INCLUDING FINANCIAL CASES.
I UNDERTAKE CIVIL LITIGATION CASES, PLUS LANDLORD & TENANT MATTERS.
ADVOCACY IN ALL COURTS, INCLUDING THE FAMILY COURT, BOTH PRIVATE & PUBLIC LAW, INCLUDING GRANDPARENT REPRESENTATION, & JOINDER TO PROCEEDINGS.
I CAN CARRY OUT ALL THE WORK THAT A SOLICITOR UNDERTAKES, AS WELL AS COUNSEL, THUS REDUCING COSTS: INCLUDING ADVICES TO BOTH PARTIES IN DIVORCE UNDER THE NEW ACT & FOLLOWING “RESOLUTION” GUIDELINES.
AS A MEMBER OF “RESOLUTION”, I ABIDE BY THEIR CONCILIATORY CODE OF PRACTICE IN FAMILY CASES.
I AM ABLE TO SEND LETTERS ON YOUR BEHALF SETTING OUT YOUR PROPOSALS, OR REPLYING TO CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED BY YOU FROM THE OTHER PARTY;
I CAN ARRANGE MEDIATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PROCEEDINGS, IF REQUIRED.
I WILL CHARGE FOR THE FIRST HOUR’S INSTRUCTIONS AT £150, WHICH IS LESS THAN MY NORMAL FEE, QUOTING THIS REFERENCE: SKH150.
PLEASE NOTE:
VAT IS NOT PAYABLE ON MY FEES.
Who do I work for?
THE MAJORITY OF MY WORK COMES FROM DIRECT ACCESS CASES.
HOWEVER, I ALSO ACCEPT WORK FROM PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS SUCH AS SOLICITORS OR LEGAL EXECUTIVES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BAR COUNCIL'S STANDARD TERMS OF BUSINESS FOR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES.
I AM VERY APPROACHABLE AND DOWN-TO-EARTH, COMMUNICATING IN PLAIN ENGLISH, FREE OF ANY LEGALESE OR TECHNICAL JARGON.
I HAVE GAINED A STRONG CLIENT FOLLOWING IN FAMILY & CHILDREN LAW CASES.
MY CLIENTS COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
EVERYONE IS TREATED WITH COMPASSION AND RESPECT.
AS A BARRISTER, I AM HELD TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.