Max Konarek, one of the Family & Childcare Partners at GT Stewart Solicitors sets out considerations that an individual should be aware of when choosing who to instruct to represent you in Family Court proceedings and whether you can change solicitors during the course of proceedings.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Lawyer for Family Court Proceedings

When facing complex family court proceedings, the decision of which lawyer to instruct can be one of the most critical choices you make. The right lawyer can dramatically influence the outcome of your case, especially when dealing with niche areas like non-accidental injuries (NAI), fabricated or induced illnesses (FII), or cases involving neurodivergent clients. Researching and choosing a lawyer with the right expertise, accreditations, and professional connections can significantly strengthen your position.

At GT Stewart Solicitors and Advocates, we specialise in these complex areas of family law. Here, we outline why it is crucial to instruct the right lawyer and what factors to consider before making your decision.

Niche Specialisms in Family Law

Not all family law solicitors are equally equipped to handle cases with intricate or sensitive elements such as non-accidental injuries or fabricated and induced illnesses. These cases often involve detailed medical evidence, complex fact-finding hearings, and expert testimony. Similarly, when the client is neurodivergent, the lawyer must understand how this impacts their client’s ability to participate fully in the legal process.

Instructing a lawyer who understands these niche areas is vital. A general family law solicitor may not have the experience or specific knowledge required to manage these types of cases effectively. An experienced lawyer in NAI, FII, or neurodivergent cases will know how to gather the necessary evidence, collaborate with relevant experts, and challenge opposing claims in a way that best supports your case.

The Importance of Membership in Professional Bodies

A key factor to consider when selecting a lawyer is their affiliation with professional bodies and organisations. Organisations such as the Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC), Resolution, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Neurodiversity In Law, provide valuable networks and resources for family law practitioners.

Lawyers who are active members of professional organisations often have access to specialised training, support, and guidance on complex legal issues. Their involvement in these bodies can also indicate a commitment to ethical practice and continuing professional development.

At GT Stewart Solicitors, we encourage our lawyers are affiliated with professional bodies relevant to their practice areas. This gives them access to the latest developments in family law and equips them with additional resources to support your case. Not only that but within our department, it ensures that knowledge is shared, ensuring that all members have the opportunity to learn.

The Added Benefit of Specialist Legal Accreditation

When researching lawyers, one key indicator of expertise is their accreditation. Lawyers who have achieved accreditations from recognised bodies, such as the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Family Law Accreditation, Family Law Advanced Accreditation, or Specialist Resolution Accreditation have demonstrated a high level of competence and experience in handling complex family cases.

Accreditation in family law is not just a rubber stamp; it is proof that the solicitor has met rigorous standards and has the depth of understanding necessary to manage challenging legal situations. These Accreditations also reflect a lawyer’s commitment to ongoing professional development, ensuring they are up-to-date with the latest legal precedents and procedural changes; there being minimum annual requirements of such lawyers in order to be eligible for these accreditations.

The Value of Professional Connections

A lawyer’s professional network can be just as important as their accreditations and memberships. The right lawyer will have established relationships with expert witnesses, medical professionals, intermediaries, and barristers who specialise in family law. These connections can make all the difference in building a solid case, particularly when dealing with non-accidental injury or FII cases, which often hinge on expert evidence.

For example, non-accidental injury cases often require testimony from a range of medical professionals who can provide expert opinions on the cause of an injury. A lawyer with strong connections in these fields will be able to secure reputable, credible experts to support your case as well as knowing which experts to avoid who have for example been criticised in judgements by the Court in the previous cases.

Additionally, in the most complex cases we will instruct highly experienced barristers, including Kings Counsel, to represent you in court - when selecting a barrister it is important to match their particular skill set with the type of case and client we are representing. Thankfully given the work we do at GT Stewart Solicitors, we have the privilege of being able to regularly work with the best barristers in the country.

There are many aspects to consider and we have the experience to create the best possible chance your case will have from start to finish.

Recognised by Legal Directories

When selecting a lawyer it is a important to see whether they or their firm are recognized by reputable legal directories such as Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, or The Times Best Law Firms. These directories and rankings independently assess and rank law firms and individual lawyers based on their expertise, client feedback, and professional achievements. A lawyer or firm listed in these directories is widely acknowledged within the legal profession as a leader in their field. Choosing a lawyer who has been ranked by these directories gives you the confidence that your lawyer has a proven track record of delivering exceptional service and results.

At GT Stewart Solicitors, our inclusion in these esteemed directories is a testament to our dedication to providing high-quality legal representation to our clients. This recognition underscores our commitment to excellence and ensures you are in capable hands when navigating the challenges of your case.

Changing Your Solicitor / Lawyer During Proceedings

The importance of the right legal representation in court proceedings cannot be overstated. If you are unhappy with the legal representation you are currently receiving, it is important to know that you can change your lawyer at any stage of the proceedings. In fact, many individuals transfer their cases to GT Stewart Solicitors from other firms because  they want a lawyer that has specialist experience and expertise in dealing with complex court proceedings.

One of our main aims in taking over a case is to undertake an initial review of the case. This is to identify any gaps in the evidence and any immediate issues that, in our view, need to be remedied as soon as possible. Our aim is to ensure that ultimately the court proceedings in which you find yourselves are as fair as they can be, ensuring that no stone has been left unturned and ultimately fighting the strongest case we can for you.

It is very important to transfer your case as early as possible, for example before a fact finding hearing. That is not to say you cannot transfer later in the case, but we are likely to be able to help you more if we are given the time to do so.

Why You Don’t Need a Local Solicitor

When it comes to instructing a lawyer for complex family law matters, geographic location is no longer a barrier. Advances in technology mean that your lawyer doesn’t need to be local to offer you the best representation. At GT Stewart Solicitors, we serve clients across the country and internationally, providing expert legal advice and representation regardless of where they are located. Our solicitors use secure video conferencing, digital document sharing, and other modern tools to maintain close communication with our clients. This flexibility allows us to deliver high-quality legal services without the need for face-to-face meetings, ensuring that distance doesn’t limit your access to the specialist expertise your case requires. 

We do also have a network of offices across England so we can offer the flexibility of face to face appointments where necessary.  It really is the best of both worlds meaning our clients receive an exceptional standard of client care.

Conclusion: Why Choosing the Right Lawyer Matters

When it comes to complex family law matters, having the right lawyer by your side is essential. A lawyer with the appropriate expertise, accreditations, professional memberships, and connections can ensure your case is handled with the highest level of competence and care.

At GT Stewart Solicitors, we are here to support you every step of the way. Our team of specialist family lawyers has extensive experience in dealing with non-accidental injury cases. We offer empathetic, expert advice tailored to your situation. If you or someone you know is facing legal proceedings, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help.

Max Konarek Partner and Joint Head of the Family & Childcare Department GT Stewart Solicitors

Max is a specialist Child Protection Solicitor and is accredited on the Law Society’s Children Panel. He represents clients based in the UK and Worldwide.

His experience extends to cases that include the death of a child, shaken baby allegations, non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in all levels of Court from the County Court to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Max has a particular interest in representing clients that are neurodiverse, vulnerable adults with learning difficulties or disabilities (including those where the Official Solicitor has become involved), foreign nationals, clients from the Romany Gypsy and Travelling communities.

View Max’s full profile here

Max can be contacted – [email protected]