Claire Cousin

Dodds Solicitors LLP

Claire is a solicitor who specialises in representing and advising parents, children and young people, extended family members and local authorities in relation to public family law. Claire's expertise particularly focuses on care proceedings and has experience of complex cases relating to non accidental injury and death, sexual abuse, substance misuse, mental health issues, forced marriage, parental alienation, neglect and domestic abuse. Claire has been a member of the Law Society's Children Panel Accreditation Scheme since 2013.

Contributed to

2

Public funding in care proceedings

Practice notes

This Practice Note covers eligibility for public funding in care proceedings, what is covered by the public funding including expert witness fees, translation costs and what is not covered without prior authority. It covers the application for prior authority and gives guidance on what is likely to be granted.

Local Government

Section 20 of the Children Act 1989—local authority duties

Practice notes

This Practice Note outlines a local authority’s duty to provide accommodation to children under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989) and explains voluntary accommodation under ChA 1989, s 20, identifying the challenges a local authority may face including ensuring appropriate delegation of parental authority and issues around parental capacity.

Local Government