Magdalena Cass

July 2019 (Middle Temple)

Date of call

July 2019 (Middle Temple)

Qualifications

Lancaster University, BA (Hons) History, First (2017)
The University of Law, Master of Arts in Law, Commendation (2018)
The University of Law, Bar Professional Training Course LLM, VC Distinction (2019)

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association
Kent Law Society
Sussex Junior Lawyers Division
Kent Junior Lawyers Division

Appointments

Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator (Society of Mediators)

Magdalena joined chambers as a pupil in 2021, and became a tenant after successfully completing her pupillage in 2022. She welcomes work across all areas of Family Law and is passionate about making sure her clients’ voices are heard.

She previously worked for a London-based Legal 500 law firm specialising in global high-value disputes. She brings experience of strategic litigation and commercial negotiations to her developing financial remedy practice.

In another past role at a regional justice charity, Magdalena supported offenders through restorative justice programmes at HMP Lewes, an experience which assists her in being unphased by the unexpected.

Before her pupillage, Magdalena gained advocacy experience through independently representing clients as a County Court Advocate, appearing in a range of civil matters across the regional courts, including landlord and tenant disputes and possession cases.

Magdalena is highly sensitive to her clients’ needs, and places great importance on developing a good working relationship; ensuring that they feel comfortable with the process, and fully supported. She is an excellent communicator, and aims to be the person her clients can talk to; reminding them that she is only asking for information in order to be able to represent them – not to judge or use it against them. Her clients appreciate her honest, pragmatic approach to the potential outcome of their case, as well as her determination to get the best possible result for them.

Magdalena has acted for mothers, fathers and grandparents in private law matters, including fact-finding and from first hearings to final hearings. She is confident in working with clients in circumstances involving allegations of domestic abuse or child abuse. She is also experienced at working with clients for whom English is not their first language and who require an interpreter.

She prides herself on being able to build rapport with people, and on going out of her way make them feel supported and secure. This is particularly important for her vulnerable clients. She understands the need to be flexible about how she communicates with people, and to change her style based on her client’s needs.

Magdalena understands how stressful it can be to be involved in legal issues, especially if it involves going to court. She aims to minimise that stress by taking the long view in guiding her clients through the whole process from the outset, rather than just dealing with hearings one-by-one.

By breaking information down into small pieces, she helps her clients to become more comfortable with the process, the likely outcome and with sharing information.
In her growing Public Law Children practice, Magdalena represents primarily parents. She has represented both fathers and mothers in cases involving allegations of neglect, substance abuse issues and mental health issues, as well as clients requiring the assistance of an intermediary. She is also experienced in navigating cases involving large families and complex care plans.

Magdalena regularly supports parents who are facing applications for interim care orders and emergency protection orders, and helps to find collaborative solutions while fiercely protecting her clients’ best interests.

She is available to help with obtaining out-of-hours emergency protection orders and is prepared for the last-minute need to deal with substantial paperwork as and when required.

Magdalena’s approach to working with family members in these cases is both sensitive and realistic. She understands the importance of building a good relationship with her clients and enabling productive conversations when the stakes are high. She aims to give people the best chance of achieving what they want to, approaching the problem from the position that there is always something that can be done to improve things – whether that is improving a parent’s chance of achieving good contact with their children or in seeking reunification. She doesn’t try to sugarcoat a difficult situation, and is always realistic and pragmatic, looking for ways to help her clients to understand what’s going on, take small steps and cope with the court process.
Magdalena has a growing practice in Divorce and Matrimonial Finance, acting for either party from the First Directions Appointment (FDA) through to Financial Dispute Resolutions (FDR) and final hearings as well as conducting round table meetings. She is experienced at dealing with varied issues and helping couples to reach agreement and settle, avoiding lengthy and potentially expensive proceedings.

Where necessary, however, she is committed to the long haul and ensuring her clients’ best interests are protected.

Magdalena has experience of disputes involving multiple properties and complex assets but is also familiar with the need to make a workable solution when modest assets need to be divided.

Magdalena was very good. She was efficient, built up a good rapport with the client and communication was excellent. I would not hesitate to instruct her again.

Miss L from Solicitors instructing Magdalena Cass

Magdalena was very thoughtful, even considered the third party and the relationship between the third party and our client going forward and that she was extremely thorough and delightful to deal with. Her submissions were clear and precise, she was very good and did not sit back and proactively dealt with matters. The client would have no hesitation in instructing you again if required.

Client instructing Magdalena Cass through solicitors

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