Two Lawyers join Children Panel

Two lawyers at Williamsons Solicitors’ Driffield office have been appointed to the Law Society’s Children Panel.

Zoe Atkinson and Rebecca Lovel are the only solicitors in Driffield and Bridlington to be accredited to the panel, which allows them to directly represent children involved in child-care proceedings and family disputes.

Mrs Lovel said: “Becoming a member of the panel is a natural progression and extension of our daily work. It has taken a considerable amount of work to gain the accreditation, but the extra qualification will undoubtedly enhance the service we can provide to clients and their children.”

This is a significant step for Williamsons as although we have members of the panel in Hull we now the expertise available in Driffield.”

Ms Atkinson said: “Children involved in child care proceedings will now have someone to represent them who is from their area and more familiar with their situation.”

The lengthy, rigorous accreditation process required a three-day course, a comprehensive application, presentation of a portfolio of case study work, professional referees, extended CRB check and an hour-long independent assessment at the Law Society in London.

Ms Atkinson qualified in 2004 and Mrs Lovel in 2001, and both deal with all areas of family law, including private children cases, contact and residence, public law care proceedings, pre-nuptial and separation agreements, matrimonial finances and divorce.

Williamsons Solicitors, which has one of the largest family departments in Hull and East Yorkshire, now has six representatives on the Children Panel. These include the Hull-based solicitors, Fiona Buchanan, Gavin Button and Phil Goodall.

Sarah Clubley, head of Williamsons Solicitors’ family law department, who is also a panel member, said: “This is good news for Rebecca and Zoe, good news for the firm, but, above all, good news for people in the communities that they serve.

“The accreditation also reflects the years of experience both the solicitors have in the family court.”

Mrs Lovel and Ms Atkinson represent clients throughout East Yorkshire, including Beverley, Bridlington, Driffield, Hull and Scarborough.

Mrs Lovel is also a member of Resolution, a national organisation that promotes the constructive resolution of family disputes.