Justice Without Boundaries - The Power of Pro Bono

We have been pleased to be able to represent some clients on a pro bono basis using our family law expertise. Occasionally, these cases may involve protracted litigation in order to achieve justice for those who would not be able to navigate the court system without help.

An example of someone Sarah Higgins and I were able to help was a client who was left after a long marriage having borne and raised the parties’ children. She found herself left in a foreign jurisdiction without any financial security and could not speak the local language, with the debts incurred by her former partner left to her to deal with. He did not support her financially nor comply with court orders to do so. She was left on the verge of homelessness and destitution.

This example entailed a number of complex hearings involving many applications and the preparation of all key documents. We have been very fortunate to have had the support of various barristers on a pro bono basis. We have been able to obtain information about assets which had been hidden by making applications against third parties. Some of these applications required technical expertise and persistence, particularly faced with an overstretched family justice system.

Obtaining a result for this client, has truly been a collaborative effort as we have sought the help of other professionals across various firms (English and foreign pension firms) and jurisdictions on a pro bono basis to assist her. The aim has been to enable the client to retain her house (which was being seized by bailiffs) and to obtain orders in relation to assets which could be located. This particular client was resilient and resourceful but would not have been able to navigate the court system without guidance, as some of the applications were unusual. She was faced with court delays and no cooperation from her former partner. She also was particularly appreciative of the support she was given as she previously felt helpless and hopeless in the face of her former partner’s determination to ensure that she was not properly funded.