Gayle Ashley

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She worked in all areas of public and private law (handling cases from start to finish) including care, injunctions, divorce and ancillary relief and has seen family law from all sides. Gayle also accepts instructions in civil cases in particular commercial, Personal Injury and Housing cases.

She also has extensive expereince of criminal advocacy in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts in legally-aided and privately-funded adult and youth cases. . Read more →

Gayle was called to the Bar in 1997 having been awarded ‘Very Competent’ in the Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Court School of Law, London. Since joining Becket Chambers in 2015, Gayle has developed a busy practice and is sought after to provide advice and advocacy in all areas of family law.

She has wide ranging experience in private and public family law, as well as a growing financial remedies practice, and regularly appears before district and circuit judges.

Gayle is an experienced public speaker and is actively involved in Becket Chambers seminar programme, regularly delivering training on a variety of family topics. Most recently she gave a presentation on ‘Enforcement of Child Arrangements Orders’. Gayle has also delivered family law training to magistrates, legal advisers and the judiciary.

Gayle is a member of Resolution, a national family law body, committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes in a non-confrontational way.

In 2015, she completed the Advanced International Advocacy Course at Keble College, Oxford. The course (taught by senior juniors, silks and judges) aims to encourage and develop the highest standards of advocacy and is internationally recognised as one of the best and most intensive advocacy courses in the world.

Children - Private Law (CAP)

In private family law, Gayle represents parents and grandparents in disputes involving contact/residence, change of surname, specific issue and prohibited steps, and special guardianship cases from first hearings through to fact finding hearings and multi-day final hearings.

She is very highly regarded by both lay and professional clients for her excellent client care, integrity, approachability, advocacy skills and knowledge. Gayle is extremely sensitive to the emotional impact of family proceedings on clients; she has a down to earth approach and easily builds exceptional rapport with her clients – her warm, personable and sensitive approach helping her to get along with clients from all walks of life.

Gayle has experience of appearing against Queen’s Counsel. One QC has commended Gayle’s legal and case management skills as ‘outstanding’ and her paperwork, case preparation and advocacy as ‘of the highest quality’.

Articles by Gayle Ashley

Coronavirus: Separated Family and Contact with Children in Care FAQs (UK)

Added in Children - Private Law (CAP) by Gayle Ashley

Family practitioners may wish to be aware of a Government briefing paper which seeks to address some key frequently asked questions concerning the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on separated families, contact with children, and child maintenance arrangements. The briefing paper provides links to relevant government guidance and to regulations and legislation, refers to the … Continue reading →

Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases

Added in Children - Private Law (CAP) by Gayle Ashley

An article exploring the Expert Panel’s Final Report (June 2020): Why Change is Considered Necessary and Recommendations for Change My colleague Marie Crawford recently wrote about a story that appeared in The Guardian newspaper on 25.6.20 and which referred to the (then unpublished) expert panel report entitled ‘Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents … Continue reading →

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Gayle Ashley's Testimonials for Children - Private Law (CAP)

Please could you also pass on my thanks to Gayle. She was very helpful and patient with dealing with XXXXX to achieve a final order. I was very nervous about the remote hearing, not having face to face contact with counsel. Gayle’s communication exceeded my expectations and put my mind at ease before during and after the hearing. I am very grateful for that.

Mrs P from Solicitors Instructing Gayle Ashley – June 2021

Children – Private Law (CAP)

Gayle Ashley

I really appreciate all of your hard work with this matter. You have gone ‘above and beyond’, the client is very grateful too.

Solicitor Instructing Gayle Ashley – July 2021

Children – Private Law (CAP)

Gayle Ashley

I wished to extend my very great thanks to Gayle for her overwhelming empathy, professionalism and time, over and above by far on this case which has this morning settled.

Solicitor Instructing Gayle Ashley – May 2021

Children – Private Law (CAP)

Gayle Ashley

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Public Law Children

In her public law practice, Gayle acts for parents, local authorities and guardians.

Gayle is dedicated to providing a proficient and friendly service for both her professional and lay clients. She has a reputation as professional, approachable and personable and her approach to cases and clients, together with her advocacy skills, has resulted in a busy and expanding practice. Gayle is particularly adept at putting clients, including vulnerable and nervous clients, at ease and is extremely sensitive to the emotional impact of proceedings on clients. Gayle has experience of challenging expert medical evidence and handling vulnerable witnesses.

Divorce & Matrimonial Finance

Gayle practises in all areas of proceedings pursuant to the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and has experience in a range of financial remedy hearings, including FDAs, FDRs, and final hearings.

Gayle is extremely hard-working and applies a forensic, analytical approach to case preparation. She is acutely aware of the need to rigorously assess the evidence and merits of each case and is readily able to assimilate and assess complex facts, evidence and the relevant law.

 

Gayle Ashley's Testimonials for Divorce & Matrimonial Finance

“After sitting will Miss Ashley for 2 minutes I was totally back in control, she was absolutely wonderful, such a wonderfully calming person and so without a doubt gave me the confidence to stand strong with my offer. So I thank you for introducing her into my life…..”

Miss C instructing Gayle Ashley through Solicitors – June 19

Divorce & Matrimonial Finance

Gayle Ashley

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