Wrexham solicitor accredited to represent children

A Wrexham woman who was awarded a coveted prize for gaining the highest mark in part of her legal examinations when she was training to become a solicitor has now been recognised by the Law Society.

Under the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme, Natalie Roberts, who practices with leading North Wales and Shropshire law firm GHP Legal, has gained accreditation as a child representative. She already held Law Society Mental Health accreditation.

Prior to becoming a solicitor, Natalie worked as an Applied Behaviour Analysis Tutor for autistic children and as a Volunteer Appropriate Adult with the Wrexham Youth Justice Service and the Tribunal Support Scheme for the National Autistic Society. In 2009 she was awarded the coveted Brown Dunne & Gray prize for gaining the highest mark in Advanced Litigation in the 2009 Legal Practice Course examinations.

Members of the Law Society Accreditation Scheme have to show that they have and will maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in a particular area of law within private practice.

Natalie’s latest accreditation means that Children’s Guardians, who represent children’s interests within Court proceedings, can instruct her to act on behalf of children. Prior to the accreditation she could only act for parents.

Speaking after receiving the accreditation Natalie said: “I had to attend a three day course as well as preparing an extensive written application and attending at the Law Society in London for interview by two assessors. The accreditation was hard-earned but certainly worthwhile and I am elated to have gained it.”

18/12/2014