Middle Temple Winston Churchill Prize 1997
Family Law Bar Association,
Child Concern
BSc (Hons) Law & German, University of Surrey
APPOINTMENTS
Recorder (2015)
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Rachael completed a specialist family pupillage and practiced on the North Eastern Circuit until joining 9 St John Street in December 2000. A care and adoption specialist, she focuses on cases involving non-accidental injury and significant abuse.
She acts for local authorities, parents/interveners (in particular vulnerable adults, including those with significant learning difficulties and mental health issues), children (including those who are able to give their instructions directly rather than via a children’s guardian), and the Official Solicitor.
Rachael has appeared at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal. She has considerable experience in cases involving serious non-accidental injury and complex medical evidence (including shaken baby), sexual assault, factitious illness disorder, and immigration/jurisdictional issues.
In private law proceedings Rachael acts for local authorities, parents and special guardians in applications for special guardianship orders.
She is also instructed on behalf of Police Authorities/Local Authorities and NHS Trusts in disclosure and public interest immunity applications in both the family and criminal jurisdictions.
Rachael is regularly involved in advising in cases pre-proceedings and takes a hands-on approach to the conduct of cases throughout the life of the court proceedings.
Rachael has been and continues to be involved in accredited training for Solicitors and Local Authorities.
NOTABLE CASES
Greater Manchester Chief Constable v KI & Anor (Children) & Ors [2007] EWHC 1837 (Fam)
Re K (Children: Care and Placement) [2015] EWFC B117
QUALIFICATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
External Examiner - Bar Standards Board – 2013
Middle Temple Winston Churchill Scholarship 1996
BSc (Hons) Law and German - 1996
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Family Law Bar Association
Child Concern
PRESCRIBED INFORMATION
Rachael Heppenstall is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Rachael Heppenstall can be found here.
Rachael Heppenstall's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Rachael Heppenstall to undertake Court services for a brief fee plus additional refresher days. Rachael Heppenstall also accepts instructions on legal aid rates where those are available, details of which can be found here. For advisory work including paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate. Rachael Heppenstall will typically return paperwork within 14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For further information please contact the Civil & Family Clerk, Peadar McKinstry on 0161 955 5104.
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