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Annabel Andreou

Posted on: March 4th, 2024 by Maverick Freedlander

I joined Lawrence Stephens in March 2024 as an Associate in the Family team.

I qualified as a solicitor in August 2020 and have specialised exclusively in private family law. My practice includes advising and assisting individuals in connection with separation, divorce, parenting agreements, child arrangements, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements and domestic abuse injunctions.

I have successfully acted in Children Act 1989 cases where the child concerned has a disability, mental health challenge and/or learning difficulty. As a result, I have a good working knowledge of local paediatric services and the implementation of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Such experience also enables me to advise divorcing clients who have children with additional needs on suitable and fair outcomes in respect of matrimonial finances and property.

In divorce cases, I have represented individuals who have a ‘uniform’ pension (NHS, Metropolitan Police, teachers, etc,) and regularly advise on issues which arise in respect of pensions upon divorce.

I have experience in cases where domestic abuse is a feature and the injunctions which can be applied for if an individual requires protection. I have also successfully acted for respondents to injunction applications.

My practice includes advice and representation for unmarried couples and parents on the breakdown of a relationship and in relation to property claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.

As a member of Resolution, I am committed to resolving disputes in a constructive and amicable way but will assist clients with a court application when a firmer approach is essential. My approach is give to clients clear and coherent advice from the start and manage their expectations throughout. I am committed to assisting clients in an ethical, compassionate, timely and cost efficient manner.

Outside of work I am keen runner and swimmer. I love spending time with my friends and family. I enjoy trying new foods and places to eat, as well as travelling.

Experience highlights 

  • Successfully acting for a mother in an internal relocation case where both children had complex medical needs
  • Successfully acting for a father in his application for a specific issue order to determine the child’s school placement (child had an EHCP and additional needs)
  • Acting for a husband in a divorce who had a large Civil Service pension which exceeded the lifetime allowance
  • Successfully acting for a father (resident in New Zealand) in establishing contact with his daughter (resident in England)
  • Successfully acting for an individual in establishing a beneficial interest in a property
  • Advising a spouse in respect of matrimonial finances and child arrangements where the parties had agreed that one party and children would relocate to the United States of America
  • Defending a non-molestation order and occupation order application

Eleanor Wood

Posted on: October 23rd, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I am a conscientious and efficient Director and joint Head of the Family team at Lawrence Stephens. I work closely with clients on complex family issues, with a particular interest in Children Act matters, to include cross-border relocation, change of residence applications and internal relocations. I also specialise in completing my own advocacy to ensure a smooth and cohesive process, which results in my clients feeling supported throughout the process. 

My experience includes divorce and matrimonial finance work and I have worked with clients through complex matters, including the division of businesses and high-value properties. I pride myself on providing first-class support to clients during challenging times – focusing on their needs as a priority.

I have been ranked as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 (2021, 2023) and Chambers and Partners (2022,2023) legal directories as an ‘Associate to Watch’. I also lecture at Bath Spa University in all areas of law but, with a particular focus on family law.

Outside of work, I am a keen sportsperson having played netball, tennis and hockey to a high level.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a father, where the mother had accused him of sexual assault. The father denied the allegations. Further to a fact finding hearing, whereby no findings were made, the Court ordered for change of residence of the child, into the father’s care, with costs being awarded for the father, to be paid by the mother.

  • Acting for a wife in a complex separation of matrimonial finances. The wife was a victim of domestic abuse, having secured a non-molestation order against the husband utilising my services. The wife was awarded an 80/20 split in her favour, with the husband ordered to pay some of the wife’s costs, due to his litigation conduct.

  • Acted on behalf of the husband in a landmark reported financial remedies case concerning the provenance of assets and the approach when pre-marital assets had been used as a matrimonial home. 

 

Jim Richards

Posted on: October 13th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Family team in June 2023.

I qualified as a solicitor in 2004, training in a leading regional firm. Since then, I have worked in Kent, Sussex and London, specialising exclusively in family law. I have in-depth experience in a range of areas including dealing with financial settlements or children cases. For some years, I was a member of the Law Society Children’s Panel and dealt with complex cases where the children were parties to the litigation.

Before qualifying as a solicitor, I worked for 15 years in the Central Family Court based in London. I have experience in all forms of family litigation, involving a range of assets and jurisdictions.

I take a pragmatic view to cases and while I look to reach agreement where possible, I am always prepared to take a case to court if it is justified.

Outside of work, I enjoy all things Italian and Portsmouth Football club – a truly dynamic combination.

Experience highlights 

  • Carrying out advocacy at an eight-day fact-finding hearing while representing children
  • In private law proceedings, carrying out advocacy for children in a fact-finding hearing involving a father alleged to have sexually abused his children
  • Acting for a husband in a successful variation of a joint lives maintenance application; obtaining a discharge of the joint lives order
  • Acted on behalf of the husband in a landmark reported financial remedies case concerning the provenance of assets and the approach when pre-marital assets had been used as a matrimonial home. 
  • Acting successfully for a wife in maintenance pension suit application, and subsequent proceedings to a final hearing at which she received a substantial pension share order, maintenance order and lump sum order
  • Protecting a Police Pension while acting for a husband, by successfully offsetting claims made by his wife
  • Acting for a wife in a complex jurisdiction dispute involving the UAE in children and financial remedy claims

Alex Ruder

Posted on: October 4th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2023 and I am currently with the Family team having finished my first two seats with the Commercial Real Estate and Banking teams. 

Having previously worked at a regional law firm dealing with all aspects of commercial property, I then moved in-house to the legal team of the UK’s fastest growing electric vehicle charging network.

Outside of work, when I’m not passing time riding and working on motorbikes pretending to be a Hells Angel, I enjoy travel, wine and a heartfelt devotion to Stevenage Football Club.

Sarah Lawson

Posted on: March 7th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Family department as a PA in November 2022 and have progressed to paralegal.  I have over 10 years of experience in family law. 

When not at Lawrence Stephens, I love travelling, spending time with family and friends and the occasional good book.

Sophie Carn

Posted on: March 7th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens in July 2021 to help set up the new Family department.  I joined as a legal secretary directly assisting the Head of Department. I have worked solely in family law for eight years across Sussex, Kent and London.    

Outside of work, I enjoy the simple things in life: going to the gym, reading books, drinking Prosecco with my friends and going on long dog walks in the countryside where I live.