Philip Bennett – Director

Philip Bennett is the director of Child Law Partnership. He set up the practice in 2001, alongside Peta Malthouse, with a vision of developing a niche practice specialising in children and family law. Philip qualified as a solicitor in 1979 and shortly after became a partner in a high street practice.  Having studied both criminal law and family law early in his career, the establishment of the Children Act in 1991 accentuated his interest in child law and he began to practice exclusively in the early 90’s.  He was awarded a diploma in Child Law by Kings College London in 1994 and has specialised in proceedings relating to children for nearly two decades. His particular interest and expertise lies in the international aspects of child law, including cases with a foreign element and inter-country adoption. As a solicitor, Philip has extensive experience in the High Court, County Court and Family Proceedings Court.

Phillip grew up in Worcestershire and moved to Surrey to study at the College of Law in Guildford. The birth of his children was the catalyst to his passion for child law and as a result he responds sympathetically and sensitively to complex disputes and lawsuits. Phillip enjoys the challenge of taking on new cases and achieving results in the best interests of his clients and maintains an extremely busy case-load.

• Member of the Law Society Children Panel since 1985.
• Member of Resolution

Direct Number: 01256 630081     email: philip@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Peta Malthouse – Director

Peta has always had an active involvement in the welfare of families and children and it was a logical step to establish Child Law Partnership alongside Phillip Bennett in 2001. As a longstanding member of the Children Panel, Peta is committed to resolving complex issues affecting children and their families. Her impressive client skills, ability to uncover core issues and empathetic approach has earned her a reputation as one of the leading family experts in the area. Peta is a member of The Association of Lawyers for Children and a dedicated member of Resolution, the nationwide association committed to amicable resolutions of family and matrimonial disputes.

In her personal life, Peta likes to get actively involved with her local community. She is an active member of her local British Legion and is Chair of her local Parish Council. Peta is also a past Chair of a small surrey charity which provides counselling services to children and their families and a member of the Child Poverty Action Group.

• Member of Law Society Children Panel
• Member of Resolution
• Member of Child Poverty Action Group

Direct Number: 01483 543793    email: peta@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Nicola Chamberlain

Nicola joined Child Law Partnership in July 2010 after establishing an impressive reputation with a Hampshire firm, where she was head of the family department. Nicola specialises in all aspects of family law including divorce, the settling of financial claims on divorce, cohabitation claims and all types of child-related issues including Public Law children cases. She has a previous history of dealing with military clients and as a result, she has also accumulated considerable experience in dealing with Armed Forces Pensions and personnel. Nicola is also a member of Resolution and follows a code of practice which encourages solutions rather than confrontation.

Born in Somerset, Nicola graduated with a degree in social sciences with a major subject in psychology. After work experience with a Bristol law firm Nicola decided that this was the route she wanted to take and enrolled on a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law, followed by a Legal Practice Course. She gained her qualifications and practiced for a couple of years in central Bristol, before moving to Hampshire in September 2001.

• Member of Resolution

Direct Number: 01256 630086    email: nicola@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Lindsay Da Rè

Lindsay joined the Child Law Partnership in November 2009, with a specific interest in Public Law matters. She works closely alongside senior lawyers on care proceedings, and has considerable involvement with children issues between separating parents. She is currently completing her training with the firm in order to qualify as a solicitor.

Having studied law at the University of Southampton, Lindsay went on to complete a legal practice course at the Guildford branch of the College of Law. Lindsay also has a Masters degree in philosophy and is studying Italian. Her friendly and approachable demeanour has seen her reputation in the marketplace flourish and she has always achieved an excellent rapport with her clients.

Direct Number: 01483 543726    email: lindsay@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Terry Medcalf

Terry qualified as a solicitor in Surrey in 1967, having served his Articles of Clerkship at Newport. His interest always lay within family law, with a focus on child related issues, and Terry has represented countless children, parents and family members in complex family breakdown situations.

Born in London, Terry’s childhood was spent by the sea in the Isle of Wight. Having been married for over 3 decades with two children, family life has always been highly important to Terry and fuels his passion to construct appropriate resolutions within family law. Highly devoted to whatever he sets his mind to, Terry even once swam across the Solent just for the challenge. He is also a prominent member of his community, having been Chairman of Kingston Round Table No 19, President of Kingston Rotary Club, Chair of Mediation in Divorce, Chair of the Board of Visitors at Latchmere Prison and Governor of a local school.

• Member of Law Society Children Panel

Direct Number: 01483 543790 email: terry@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Danielle Mendoza

Danielle joined the Child Law Partnership in March 2010 having qualified as a criminal and family solicitor the previous year. She is concerned with all aspects of child care law from the initial involvement with the child, family and local authority to court proceedings and is committed to achieving the best for her clients. As well as care proceedings, she also has extensive experience in divorce, contact, residence disputes, injunction proceedings and non-molestation cases.

Born in Surrey, Danielle’s conversance and passion for law was accentuated as a result of her overseas studies in Malaysia and Australia for four years. She graduated with a law degree in 2004, before commencing a Legal Practice course at the College of Law.  She has since gained invaluable experience working on high profile criminal cases with a firm in London, before finding her niche in family law. Highly professional and motivated by success, Danielle’s approach to her clients is confident yet compassionate.

Direct Number: 01256 630083    email: danielle@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Karen Moors

Karen is a highly successful lawyer at Child Law Partnership, specialising in proceedings relating to children, particularly care proceedings. Karen believes her success is as a result of her empathetic nature and her commitment to communicating with clarity and honesty.

Karen has extensive knowledge in all issues surrounding family law, having practised for over 12 years in this specialist subject area. Karen qualified as a solicitor in 1991, and has proven success in the field, with many of her clients coming from recommendations and previous client referrals.

• Member of Association of Lawyers for Children.
• Member of Law Society Children Panel

Direct Number: 01483 543797 email: karen@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Damian Norris

Damian Joined the Child Law Partnership in 2011having worked in Surrey as a child-care lawyer for 15 years. He has extensive advocacy experience in all levels of court including The High Court in Care Proceedings and adoption. He is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and represents children, parents and other family members.

Born in Surrey and having obtained a Law degree from the University of Southampton Damian had a variety of jobs (including as a copywriter for an advertising agency for some years, working in The City and even as a part-time residential social worker) before qualifying as a Solicitor in 1995. He is genuinely committed to the child’s welfare principle and considers it an honour to represent a client of any age in a court.

Direct Number: 01483 544726 email: damian@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Robert Powell

Robert has been a lawyer for over 25 years initially advising on both civil and family issues and is an invaluable team member of Child Law Partnership. Before entering private practice Robert worked in the court service in both the Crown and County Courts, gaining extensive experience. Since 1993 he has specialised in family matters, with a particular interest in cases involving children and domestic violence.

As a trained community mediator, Robert adopts a down to earth approach which immediately puts clients at ease. In his personal life, Robert has enjoyed immense success as part of a choir ranked number two in the world, as well as performing for the Queen, both contributing to his competitive nature and determination to achieve results.

Direct Number: 01483 544725   email: robert@childlawpartnership.co.uk

James Tong

Having immigrated to the UK in 2009, James commenced working in public law proceedings and joined Child Law Partnership in January 2010, after filling a locum position at the end of 2009. James is a New Zealand Qualified Solicitor with some 8 years experience in Family Law having been formally admitted to the Bar in New Zealand in 2002. He was appointed by the Family of New Zealand Court to represent children in complex family court matters and was also regularly appointed by the Court to represent mental health clients in mental health proceedings. James was admitted as a solicitor qualified in England and Wales in November 2011.

James was actively involved with the Manawatu District Law Society and New Zealand Law Society including the Standards Committee, the disciplinary body of the New Zealand Law Society. James is extremely personable and able to provide comprehensive legal advice in terms which are easily understood by all his clients.

Direct Number: 01483 544724    email: james@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Rita Veitch

Rita is a Legal Executive specialising in family law. Rita has over 20 years experience in this area and joined the Child Law Partnership in July 2008. She advises on all aspects that arise following the breakdown of a relationship, whether clients are married, living together or in a civil partnership. Rita is also a highly experienced collaborative lawyer, and adept at resolving family disputes away from the court process. She is a member and accredited specialist with Resolution, having passed a written test demonstrating a breadth of knowledge of family law issues.

Rita’s conscientious approach to her work highlights her focus on each individual case and specifically what each client wants to achieve. This enables her to tailor the advice that is right for the client and their family.

• Accredited Specialist with Resolution
• Collaborative Lawyer

Direct Number: 01483 543796 email: rita@childlawpartnership.co.uk

Sarah Whitby

Sarah joined the Child Law Partnership team in October 2007, after she had gained an impressive reputation as a partner at Wills Chandler where she had previously been headhunted. During this role she expanded the public child care department and found her niche within public and private child law work.

Born in Surrey, Sarah completed her law degree at Oxford and graduated as a solicitor in 1986. She worked for a large law firm in Bristol within family law before marrying into the army, which saw her work for various firms in Wiltshire, Surrey and Hampshire, all within family law. Sarah enjoys the rewarding challenges that family law exposes and feels it is part of her role to offer unconditional support to her clients in addition to merely getting results.

For the past five years Sarah has led a double work life both as a child care lawyer and as an Assistant Deputy Coroner for two areas in Hampshire. Presiding over inquests and advising when the Coroner has to be involved in a death

• Member of the Children Panel.

Direct Number: 01256 630082    email: sarah@childlawpartnership.co.uk