Cara Radford

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Cara is developing a busy practice and accepts instructions in Children Act proceedings, Family Law Act applications and civil proceedings

Within Family law Cara’s cases relate to private law children. In private law, she has covered cases including Children Act applications and non-molestation orders. She is a particular specialist in representing victims of all kinds of domestic abuse, including violence, sexual abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour and psychological or financial abuse.

Cara values the opportunity to spend time building relationships with her clients and working with them throughout the court process, as she knows how reassuring it is for them to work with the same person, who understands and is sympathetic towards their issues.

In civil law, she has handled numerous small claims and fast-track cases. These include road traffic accidents (including claims for assessment of damages) and non-payment of debts. Cara also represents local authorities and private landlords in possession claims.

Cara prides herself on her attention to detail and her ability to assimilate information very quickly in order to put across a case succinctly in court.

Her ambition to become a barrister came from the desire to help others when they have to deal with the unfamiliar legal system. Having undertaken pro bono work with City Law School’s Family Advice Scheme, she understands that the court process can be daunting to those who haven’t previously experienced it. The Scheme assists litigants in person who cannot afford representation, with everything from the completion of court forms through to representation in the court room.

Before commencing Pupillage, Cara worked for a Local Authority and acted as advocate on their behalf in the Magistrates’ Court. This gave her experience of Local Authority litigation and understanding of both the role of applicant and the defence roles and responsibilities.

Cara has also previously taught debating in schools and prisons, including Feltham Young Offenders Institution; giving her a clear understanding of how best to approach different situations, as well as enhancing her communication skills and ensuring that legal jargon is explained clearly and concisely.

Children - Private Law (CAP)

Cara frequently appears in applications made by parents for either Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders, Specific Issue Orders or a combination of all three.

She is a particular Specialist in representing victims of all kinds of domestic abuse, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, coercive control and psychological or financial abuse. She understands the impact such experiences have on the victim and children, and the impact this can have on the case.

She represents clients at any stage of proceedings, including fact finding hearings where there are allegations of abuse. Cara is happy to accept instructions at any stage; however, she always recommends instruction at the earliest possible opportunity, as the sooner she is involved, the better able she is to help resolve issues.

Her aim is to work with her clients to try and resolve matters without the need for further hearings, but she will, where necessary, remain with a case until matters are concluded at final hearing. Whilst working sensitively with her client, she is also a strong advocate in court.

Within such applications, there is always scope for negotiations to take place between parties and Cara is experienced and confident in conducting such negotiations. Her experience frequently allows her to identify and propose alternative arrangements that all parties are happy with in order to find a way forward and bring matters to a close as early as possible.

Through her specialism in representing clients who have suffered domestic abuse, Cara is alive to the sensitivities and the issues involved. She is empathetic towards the additional emotional toll of court proceedings and is experienced in ensuring that special measures are arranged where required to avoid or minimise contact and confrontation with a perpetrator. She will do everything in her power to make her client feel protected, including arranging separate waiting areas, and personally ensuring her client is accompanied whilst outside the court.

Cara Radford's Children - Private Law (CAP) Cases

Enforcement of child arrangements order

Cara acted for the Applicant in an application was for enforcement of a child arrangements order. The first hearing had been used as a FHDRA and the previous child arrangements order discharged. The Section 7 report had been received for this hearing which suggested a change of residence to the Applicant and for the Respondent … Continue reading →

Acting for Mother to dismiss prohibited steps order

Cara acted for a Respondent Mother, where the Father had made applications for a child arrangements order and prohibited steps order (PSO). The PSO was to prevent the children coming into contact with the Mother’s partner, someone who the children already had a relationship with. The PSO application was dismissed by the court with child … Continue reading →

Applicant Father in FHDRA hearing

Cara acted for the Applicant Father in an FHDRA hearing. Serious allegations had been made with the parties agreeing a small amount of interim contact. Directions were for set for a DRA in front of a Tier 2 Judge

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Cara Radford's Testimonials for Children - Private Law (CAP)

“Just a note to say she’s been fab on my case, I’ve been in contact more than I usually would as the client very vulnerable, and Cara looked after her brilliantly and with care”

Miss H from solicitors instructing Cara Radford – June 23

Children – Private Law (CAP)

Cara Radford

“She was fantastic – client was very happy with Cara’s representation and her client care.”

 

 

 

Ms T from Solicitors Instructing Cara Radford – January 20

Children – Private Law (CAP)

Cara Radford

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Family Injunctions

Cara welcomes instruction in all matters concerned with injunctions or non-molestation orders where court intervention is needed to control behaviours and protect adults or children from harm. She is happy to represent clients whether the application is a stand-alone matter or whether it is part of a wider case relating to child arrangements.

She will act for either party involved in an application, and is experienced in emergency applications where immediate protection is required as well as where there is interplay with a wider case.

 

Cara Radford's Family Injunctions Cases

Non-molestation order

Cara acted for the Respondent in a non-molestation order return date. Her client wished for the application to be withdrawn or would offer undertakings on a no findings, no admissions basis. The Applicant did not attend, so undertakings could not be accepted. However, directions were listed for undertakings to be accepted, if agree, and as … Continue reading →

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Cara Radford's Testimonials for Family Injunctions

I write to compliment the skills and advocacy of Ms Cara Radford. She represented me in a Family Law case. Her skills and understanding of the brief before her were exemplary.

 

I wish Becket Chambers to know that she is most certainly an asset to your chambers, and I compliment her for her sterling work.

Client instructing Cara Radford through a Solicitor for an Injunction – June 2022

Family Injunctions

Cara Radford

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Property & Land Law

Cara specialises in matters relating to landlords and tenants and regularly represents clients in residential possession proceedings.

She is instructed by both private landlords and Local Authorities and has made successful submissions on both mandatory and discretionary grounds in order to achieve possession of their properties.

She has particular experience of cases where both mandatory and discretionary grounds are present, and her ability to analyse information and adjust her arguments has helped clients to achieve successful results despite complications.

Her experience also includes cases where areas of law overlap – such as land law and probate.

Her clients appreciate her ability to explain the law and procedures clearly and simply. They also value her ability to combine extensive knowledge of the practical aspects of court action with an understanding of the emotions that may be involved.

Cara Radford's Property & Land Law Cases

Possession order, plus costs awarded

Cara acted for an Applicant who had made an application for possession of a property based on rent arrears accrued. The Respondent had not engaged with the Applicant when they had contacted her about payment or made any offers or proposals for payment. Possession was ordered within 28 days with a money judgment for the … Continue reading →

Outright possession order due to rent arrears

Cara acted for the Applicant in a case for possession under the mandatory ground for rent arrears. The tenant did not attend. She successfully obtained an outright possession order with a money judgment for the arrears and costs.

Immediate possession of land

Cara acted for an Applicant in two cases for possession of land due to trespass. The two parcels of land were next to one another but under different ownership and titles. The Defendants had entered the land without permission and had secured the gate on the land with their own padlock meaning the Applicants could … Continue reading →

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Intentionally Homeless Decisions – Where the starting point should be on affordability

Added in Property & Land Law by Cara Radford

This article will look at the recent judgment given in Samuels v Birmingham City Council [2019] UKSC 28 (“Samuels”) and the legislation regarding homelessness and intentionally homeless decisions. The Appellant, in the case of Samuels, was an assured shorthold tenant of a property where she lived with her 4 children. Due to rent arrears, in … Continue reading →

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Personal Injury

Cara is regularly instructed in personal injury claims, commonly those arising from road traffic accidents. She acts at all stages in cases ranging from small claims to fast track proceedings.

As well as advocacy, Cara will provide written advice and pleadings.

She is adept at reviewing the associated information and reports and her attention to detail helps her clients to feel comfortable throughout what can be an emotional process.

Cara is supportive and sensitive to the needs of her clients, and is able to adapt her style to the needs of individuals, but she is also a forceful advocate in court.

 

Cara Radford's Personal Injury Cases

Successful PSLA claim

Cara represented the Claimant in an MOJ Stage 3 hearing. Her client was claiming for damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA) and travel expenses. PSLA was awarded at an amount between the offers of both the Claimant and Defendant. The travel expenses were agreed before going into court with the majority of … Continue reading →

PSLA award compromise

Cara acted for the Respondent in an MOJ Stage 3 for assessment of PSLA, physiotherapy charges and loss of earnings following a road traffic accident. Physiotherapy and loss of earnings were awarded in full with PSLA having been awarded between the two parties’ offers.

Incorrect completion of Form N150 results in delay

Cara acted for the Claimant in a personal injury claim against a company based in Hungary due to an accident at work. Permission was not required for service and a Form N150 was filed by the solicitors. However, the N150 was incorrectly completed and so service was not considered effective. The hearing was adjourned to … Continue reading →

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