David Howell–Richardson
Partner
David is a Partner and Head of the Child Care Team. He has thirty years Post Qualification Experience.
David is a Qualified and Practising Mediator. He is a Children Representative of the Law Society Children Panel, a Member of the Law Society Family Panel and a Qualified Collaborative Lawyer. He is a Member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association).
He is a specialist in Family Law having practised in this area for thirty years. He has particular expertise relating to children issues and has regularly represented children and parents in all types of Legal Proceedings, including Care, Adoption, Special Guardianship, Secure Accommodation, Applications to enable children to emigrate with their parents, Residence and Contact issues.
He enjoys representing all parties in these cases recognising the importance of maintaining a balanced and sensitive perspective in what are very often challenging and stressful circumstances for each member of the family. In particular, he intends to ensure that he shows due respect to each of the family members.
David is well aware that each family is unique and special.
He has recently advised in cases involving:
- Serious non-accidental injuries to babies and whether such injuries could be explained by medical conditions
- Contested adoption issues where not only the future placement was in issue but also whether there should be continued contact with a birth family
- Historic allegations of sexual and physical abuse with implications for assessment of risk
- Applications by parents to emigrate permanently
- Surrogacy arrangements
- Cross allegations of drug and alcohol abuse in relation to the impact on parenting
