Lavinia Glover

I joined Chambers after the successful completion of a pupillage here. I am now developing a busy and broad practice within Chambers’ core areas, and work with clients on general civil and family matters, with a particular focus on private child issues.

I have a special interest in family matters and frequently represent clients for emergency non-molestation applications. I have appeared for both applicants and respondents at First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointments though to the Final Hearing. I have helped clients with complex fact finding hearings where there have been multiple allegations of domestic abuse.

I have a general interest in civil cases, and have represented both Claimants and Defendants in the County Court at all stages of proceedings, including small and fast track claims.

My clients particularly appreciate my professional approach, combined with the way that I am able to help them feel comfortable with the processes involved. My ability to process large amounts of complex information and explain it clearly to my clients is of great value to them, particularly when working on a DPA basis.

I studied law with history at Canterbury Christ Church University before going on to study the Bar Professional Training Course at Northumbria Law School, then commencing pupillage with Becket Chambers in October 2015. Before pupillage I volunteered with the Personal Support Unit in the Newcastle Combined Court, supporting litigants in person throughout the court process, and I still volunteer with the Kent Law Clinic at the University of Kent.

 

Property and Land Law

I am particularly interested in cases relating to residential landlords and tenants, and frequently represent both private and local authority landlords for possession of residential properties. I have also successfully represented tenants in appeals to successfully set aside a possession order, and can assist both tenants and landlords by providing expert advice on eviction notices and tenancy agreements.

I will also advise on counter-claims and set-offs in relation to possession proceedings against private landlords, and have made successful submissions on mandatory grounds for possession.

My clients appreciate my ability to explain and clarify law and procedure in simple terms for the non-legal professional. This, together with my straightforward but sensitive approach, is particularly important where matters are complicated by issues such as mental health problems or family disputes relating to property.

Private Law (Child Arrangements Programme)

In my busy and developing Family practice, I act frequently for either parent in applications for Child Arrangements Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders.

Although I am happy to accept instructions at all stages of proceedings, the earlier I am instructed, the better able I am to help. My clients regularly instruct me the beginning of proceedings, for the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment, and I remain involved until the final hearing.

Particularly when instructed later in the process, my experience with litigants in person (where you are handling your case in court yourself) can be invaluable during family law proceedings. My advice and guidance often leads to productive negotiations whilst at court, speeding up the court process.
My clients may instruct me at any stage of private law proceedings, though I generally recommend that they seek advice as early as possible. I work with them to try and resolve matters as early as possible, but if required will remain with a case until matters are concluded at a final hearing.

Within private law proceedings, there is scope for negotiations between parties. I am confident in conducting such negotiations and am often able to propose alternative ways forward to ensure all parties involved are happy with the outcome.

I have helped those who have become the victim of parental alienation, and am a keen advocate of promoting the rights of the children to have a safe and loving relationship with both of their parents. I have experience of handling very delicate and emotional cases involving serious issues of abuse including sexual assault and rape.

Recently I represented a very vulnerable person who had been in a domestically abusive relationship for over a decade. They had eventually found the courage to leave the relationship and fled to a refuge. The other side had contested the making of a non-molestation order and applied for a child arrangement order to see the child. Following a lengthy fact-finding hearing, we were successful in proving all of our allegations. The judge agreeing that my client had been manipulated and abused for many years and there were significant safeguarding concerns involving the children.

I also have significant experience of making successful applications for special measures. Recently my client required the use of screens during a first hearing. The other side objected to this. I was able to highlight the law in a succinct manner to the Magistrates meaning we were successful in our application for screens but also had enough time to deal with the other issues which were central to the case.