Helen Soffa

Helen is instructed on behalf of parents in relation to contested child arrangements applications arising as a consequence of marital breakdown, some with features of serious domestic violence.

Helen has extensive experience in representing local authorities, parents and guardians in care proceedings for over 20 years and has dealt with many non-accidental injury cases in the High Court involving complex medical evidence.  She has also represented local authorities in cases which involve complex immigration and international abduction issues.  Helen also has represented local authorities in contested adoption cases in the High Court.

9th October 2014

Re LRP (A Child) (No. 2) (Leave to oppose adoption application) [2014] EWHC 3311 (Fam)

Application to oppose an application for adoption. Pauffley J refuses the application on the basis that there is insufficient evidence of a change in circumstances

PDF

19th November 2013 | Bailii

T and M (Children: Fact Finding: Physical Injury) [2013] EWHC 3645 (Fam)

Fact-finding hearing in respect of physical injuries. Pauffley J unable to identify the perpetrator(s) save to say that the mother and/or father were likely to have caused the injuries.

PDF

21st December 2011

In the Matter of A and L (Children) [2011] EWCA Civ 1611

Appeal against findings of fact made in care proceedings. Appeal dismissed.

PDF

9th April 2010

EH v London Borough of Greenwich, AA and A (Children) [2010] EWCA Civ 344

Care proceeding – Adoption – Evidence that mother had lied about ongoing relationship with dangerous father – Whether determinative of welfare issue – Whether judge must refer explicitly to welfare checklist and human rights of parties

PDF

Helen has an interest in the Court of Protection and has delivered training on this area as well as representing and advising local authorities in proceedings.

Helen has been instructed in cases which involve both removal and return of children to Hague Convention countries and also adoption overseas.  Recent examples include abduction cases in care proceedings involving children under a Care Order being removed to an EU country and also India and the Orders required to secure return.

Re LRP (A Child) (No. 2) (Leave to oppose adoption application) [2014] EWHC 3311 (Fam) Application to oppose an application for adoption. Pauffley J refuses the application on the basis that there is insufficient evidence of a change in circumstances

T and M (Children: Fact Finding: Physical Injury) [2013] EWHC 3645 (Fam) Fact-finding hearing in respect of physical injuries. Pauffley J unable to identify the perpetrator(s) save to say that the mother and/or father were likely to have caused the injuries.

In the Matter of A and L (Children) [2011] EWCA Civ 1611 Appeal against findings of fact made in care proceedings. Appeal dismissed.

EH v London Borough of Greenwich, AA and A (Children) [2010] EWCA Civ 344 Care proceeding – Adoption – Evidence that mother had lied about ongoing relationship with dangerous father – Whether determinative of welfare issue – Whether judge must refer explicitly to welfare checklist and human rights of parties