Marie Crawford

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Marie is a highly regarded family law specialist with extensive experience in her areas of practice. Her practice encompasses all aspects of family law at all stages of proceedings and all levels of court.

Marie is known for her approachable and empathetic approach to her clients and her keen pursuit of their interests. Whilst doing her utmost to achieve her client’s objectives, Marie is able to consider the wider issues of the case that impact emotionally and practically on her clients, alongside the legal issues, and take all of those factors into consideration when advising her clients. This greatly assists her clients in reaching what are sometimes very difficult decisions which will affect the rest of their lives. Read more →

Marie is a highly regarded family law specialist with extensive experience in her areas of practice. Her practice has encompassed all aspects of family law; however, she now focuses on public law cases, representing parents and children at all stages of proceedings and all levels of court.

Marie is known for her approachable and empathetic approach to her clients and her keen pursuit of their interests. Whilst doing her utmost to achieve her client’s objectives, Marie is able to consider the wider issues of the case that impact emotionally and practically on her clients, alongside the legal issues, and take all of those factors into consideration when advising her clients.

 

Public Law Children

Marie is regularly instructed to represent children’s parents and guardians in Care and Adoption proceedings. This has often included cases where the most serious harm to children is alleged, such as multiple injuries, sexual abuse and Munchausen Syndrome by proxy. Many of these cases have involved parents who are also facing criminal prosecution as a result of the allegations.

The issues Marie frequently encounters are those of parents struggling with addiction and other mental health issues, learning difficulties, or often simply poverty; including those with impoverished backgrounds – leading to lack of life chances and, in particular, lack of positive parenting role-models.

Marie’s empathetic approach enables her to help her clients through each step of the legal process, and ensure that they get sensitive but robust representation in Court.

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you, from the moment you came aboard the case, you turned everything around and I truly believe that if it wasn’t for your hard work … I wouldn’t have got the result I did. So from me and my children thank you so much.”

Marie regularly represents Grandparents or other family members in applications for a Special Guardianship Order to secure the future of a child or children in their care, or whom professionals have recommended should be in their care for the remainder of their childhood. These applications are often made within Public and Private Law applications, but are more frequently being made as freestanding applications.

Marie Crawford's Public Law Children Cases

Representing teenage children within care proceedings

Marie represents 2 teenage children who became separately represented from the Guardian’s legal team as a result of a conflict in their views and the Guardian’s. They were considered competent to instruct their own Solicitor. The children live with their mother and an infant sibling. The local authority seeks to remove them and their sibling. … Continue reading →

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Articles by Marie Crawford

Special Measures and vulnerable litigants

Added in Children - Private Law (CAP),Public Law Children by Marie Crawford

The importance of ensuring vulnerable litigants and witnesses are protected by special measures and participation directions when they give evidence in family proceedings The vital importance of this was highlighted in this case, reported in FLW (reproduced below), in which the High Court allowed an appeal against a fact-finding hearing, which ordinarily requires a very … Continue reading →

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Marie Crawford's Testimonials for Public Law Children

I can confirm that I was extremely pleased with the service of your Chambers and the representation of my Client by Ms Crawford.

 

Ms. Crawford’s communication was impeccable and I know it is a phrase employed by retail companies who ask for feed back these days, but Ms Crawford certainly did “go beyond” in her representation of my Client at both Hearings.

 

I would not hesitate to instruct Ms. Crawford again or arrange Counsel through your Chambers.

Solicitors instructing Marie Crawford for Public Law Proceedings – April 2022

Public Law Children

Marie Crawford

“Thank you v much indeed Marie for stepping in on this one and for being kind and caring and compassionate.”

Ms S from Solicitors Instructing Marie Crawford – September 17

Public Law Children

Marie Crawford

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