GT STEWART - Key Persons
Adam joined GT Stewart in September 2021 as a paralegal in our criminal defence team based at our Hammersmith office.
He has his own caseload consisting of small cases from malicious communications, burglary to possession of an offensive weapon and assists senior solicitors on high value cases: from POCA, robbery, high value fraud, modern slavery to PWITS and attempted murder / murder.
Adam has volunteered as a Mackenzie friend at first tier tribunals helping vulnerable people appeal unfavourable PIP decisions and for Care4Calais where he helped refugees.
Adam has undertaken deprivation of liberty training to help those under Mental Capacity Act.
Job Titles:
- Head of Mental Health Law
Adam is a Mental Health Law specialist and our Head of Mental Health Law at GT Stewart. As an accredited member of the Law Society Mental Health Tribunal Panel, Adam accepts instruction in relation to civil and forensic mental health law matters including Tribunal Hearings, Hospital Managers' Hearings and CPA/s117 meetings. Other matters that Adam is able to assist with include issues with s.17 leave, transfers, s. 117 aftercare and remittance to prison. Additionally, Adam is able to accept appointments by the Tribunal for clients lacking capacity.
Adam also practices in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) which hears appeals relating to decision of the First-tier Tribunal and is happy to advice clients on appeals flowing from their cases.
As part of his work representing people detained under the forensic provisions of the Mental Health Act, Adam regularly represent clients at Broadmoor, Ashworth and Rampton, the three high-secure hospitals in England as well as those in medium secure, low secure and rehabilitation units.
Adam has broad experience in helping clients detained under section as well as those in the community under Community Treatment Orders and those subject to conditional discharge conditions. As well as representing patients, Adam also has experience in advising and representing Nearest Relatives in the exercise of their powers under the Act, and also in relation to resisting displacement proceedings brought in the County Court.
As a natural extension to Adam's mental health work, he also works through our Community Care department and represents clients in matters in the Court of Protection. He has experience in matters involving applications for Deputyship, Lasting Powers of Attorney and medical treatment for incapacitated parties as well as representing people deprived of their liberty under the DoLS regime. Following a break from Court of Protection work, Adam is now accepting instructions again and would be pleased to receive your enquiry. Adam accepts instruction from the Official Solicitor and direct from clients as appropriate.
Adam primarily works from our City of London office, but also accepts instruction from clients based in and around West Yorkshire from our Leeds offices and also from clients in the Midlands through our offices in Birmingham.
In his spare time Adam is a keen traveller, having previously spent 17 years in a job that saw him travel the world, and enjoys cookery and gardening. He speaks good French and Spanish, is able to accept instruction from clients in these languages, and is known for his conscientious and thorough work on behalf of clients and their families.
Adam is a current member of the Mental Health Lawyers Association and takes a keen and active interest in social justice matters.
Affan joined GT Stewart Solicitors in February 2022 and is a trainee solicitor in the Community Care department.
He assists in a range of cases including support for adult and children with learning difficulties or disabilities, cases in the Court of Protection as well as public law and human rights claims.
Affan has previously worked as a document reviewer and prior to joining GT Stewart Solicitors he worked as a paralegal at a litigation firm in London.
Affan has also been involved in various pro-bono work; he was a volunteer at the CommuniCare Legal Clinic in Reading where he assisted solicitors who offered free legal advice to the local community.
His role involved considering the first review of cases, conducting legal research and attending appointments on clients for each of the clinic sessions.
Education and Qualifications
LLB Law - University of Reading
LPC MSc in Law, Business and Management - The University of Law
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Member of Resolution
- Solicitor / Family Law
Alexi undertakes publicly funded family work and specialises in the following areas:
Public and private children's law
Where she advocates passionately for parents in public and private children's law proceedings to make sure that their best interests are considered and their voice is heard. Alexi's patient and approachable manner has allowed her to represent vulnerable clients including clients who suffer with mental health and/or learning disabilities. She has also represented clients who have visual impairments and physical disabilities.
Professional Membership Panels. Alexi is a member of Resolution
Qualifications
University of Middlesex - LLB(Hons)
College of Law
Job Titles:
- Civil Paralegal Within the Actions Against the Police, Housing and Personal Injury and Departments
Alishah assists with civil claims against the Metropolitan Police, the Ministry of Justice, and other public authorities, including civil actions for battery and/or assault by state agents, wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office.
Alishah also works directly under the Housing Department Head and assist with civil claims regarding unlawful evictions, possession of property, disrepair disputes and homelessness.
Previously Alishah worked as a legal caseworker within Duncan Lewis' Immigration Department and have done voluntary work experience at Hanif & Co Solicitors, as well as Aman Solicitors Advocates, where I had also shadowed a senior solicitor.
Alishah worked at South and City College campuses during the enrolment period during summer, since 2018 up until 2022. I have ensured the process runs smoothly and done eligibility checks on students for both Immigration status eligibility and financial eligibility.
Outside of law, Alishah enjoys art and creative expression, reading literature, travelling and being adventurous- whether that is trying different cuisines or challenging myself to do new activities.
Job Titles:
- Caseworker
- Caseworker / Family Law
Alison is a Caseworker based in the family team in our Margate office. After working in a Legal 500 recognised local firm where she progressed from legal secretary to paralegal. Alison joined GT Stewart in 2022 and is training to become qualified Legal Executive and is currently undertaking the Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
With a focus on care proceedings, Alison has supported in cases involving Non-Accidental Injuries and Fabricated or Induced Illnesses (FII). Alison regularly attends court in London and barrister chambers to support clients at hearings and conferences. Alison is experienced in meticulously pulling together the evidence filed within proceedings and liaising with clients to assist in the drafting of detailed statements in response. She prides herself on being friendly and approachable, supporting clients throughout a process that can be both worrying and, often, difficult to understand.
Alison has most recently been heavily assisting on a complex High Court non-accidental injury case, in which for the first time in the UK it was granted for a client's evidence in cross-examination to be shown by way of pre-recorded video
Job Titles:
- Supervising Solicitor
- Supervising Solicitor / Family Law
Angela Simpson joined Hudgell & Partners in 1987 and from 1992 until 2003 when the firm merged with GT Stewart was a Partner in the Matrimonial Department.
She is a Member of Resolution, a national organisation of Family Law that is committed to non-confrontational divorce, separation and family matters, and has been accredited by them since 2002 as a specialist Family Lawyer with particular expertise in Children Law (Private) and Domestic Abuse. Angela also deals with divorce and financial issues arising out of divorce.
Job Titles:
- Caseworker
- Caseworker / Family Law
- Key Member
Ashley is a Caseworker in our Kent Team assisting Ryan Booth on his matters. Ashley started her career over 10 years ago at Kent County Council Legal Services where she gained a vast amount of experience in all matters relating to Child Protection. She then, following that team moving to another part of the county, decided to move to Private Law family work where she worked at a well-respected firm in Canterbury.
Ashley then decided to broaden her horizons and go travelling to Australia where she homed her skills still further and developed her confidence.
Upon returning to the UK, Ashley worked in another local firm undertaking conveyancing work, but realised that she missed her passion for family law and returned to work in the field assisting Ryan at his previous firm before joining G T Stewart.
Ashley is a key member of the team and renowned for her speed, accuracy and attention to detail, she assists Ryan with various aspects of his caseload and Ryan has referred to her as "invaluable" in doing so.
Ashley enjoys reading, travelling, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
Job Titles:
- Artist
- Health Solicitor
- Mental Health Law Specialist
- Mental Health Solicitor
Azrina is a Mental Health Law specialist with 12 years' experience. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2014, after training with a leading Legal Aid Firm. She has been an accredited member of the Law Society Mental Health Panel since 2014.
Azrina is a qualified makeup artist and henna artist. She runs a small Etsy business, selling hand designed henna items such as candles and floral platters. She also attends community events and fundraisers, applying henna on guests. Azrina also enjoys cooking and travelling with her young family.
Balhar Dhamrait (Bubs) was born and brought up in Dartford Kent. Bubs has worked in Criminal Defence Law for some 20 years. During the last two decades he has represented clients on some of the most serious allegations of Murder, Complex Fraud, Money Laundering, Financial Crime, Terrorism, Large scale Drugs Conspiracies, Human Trafficking, Rape, Robbery and Sexual Offences.
He works tirelessly to defend his clients focusing mainly on defending them in Police Station interviews. This often involves attending clients at all hours of the day or night, and often over weekends. He speaks fluent Punjabi and Urdu.
Bubs remains friendly and approachable whilst also being professional and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for his clients. Over the years he has demonstrated through hard work and commitment, that the right advice and protection builds a good client following. Bubs understands that the law is very complex for lay clients, especially for the young and vulnerable clients with mental health issues. He ensures they understand exactly what is being alleged and what evidence the police say that are relying upon. Bubs believes that the criminal trial starts at the Police Station and the quality of representation there makes or breaks a case.
Bhaskar specialises in actions against the police and state authorities and has a passion for holding public bodies to account. He regularly advises on a range of private law civil claims against the police and other public authorities including claims for false imprisonment, assault and battery by state agents, malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office, as well as for breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998. He also regularly assists with public law claims, police complaints and appeals to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. He has experience of working on inquests and public inquiries.
Before joining GT Stewart Bhaskar qualified at Hodge Jones and Allen in 2016, where he undertook a range of contentious public and administrative law work. He also worked for a year post qualification as criminal defence lawyer, and consequently brings an in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system to his current practice advising on claims against the police.
Prior to qualification as a solicitor, Bhaskar has worked in civil litigation as a caseworker since 2010 and brings eight years of fee earning experience to the table. Bhaskar also volunteered with the national human rights organisation LIBERTY (National Council of Civil Liberties) and worked as a researcher for the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, an international non-governmental organisation that tracks the human rights impacts of multinational corporations worldwide.
Job Titles:
- Supervising Solicitor
- Supervising Solicitor / Family Law
Having completed her training contract in Essex, Charlotte has spent most of her 20 year career practising in London, initially undertaking all areas of family law, but then choosing to specialise in representing both parents/family members and children involved in care and adoption proceedings.
Charlotte joined FMW Law in February 2012, becoming a supervisor and then becoming Head of the Children Department in our Hammersmith office. When GT Stewart incorporated FMW Law in 2018, Charlotte remained with us and continues to cultivate a loyal following of client's. She also undertakes the training of trainees and other staff members.
As an Accredited Law Society Children Panel Member, she represents children through their children's guardian and children independently. She has extensive experience dealing with cases involving complex issues including those with alleged FII, non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, neglect, domestic abuse and substance/alcohol misuse.
Charlotte has represented parents and children in Deprivation of Liberty cases and is instructed by the Official Solicitor when a parent is a considered a "Protected Party". She is passionate at ensuring those who are vulnerable are given a voice.
As well as working closely with senior barristers, Charlotte conducts much of her own advocacy at all court levels. She is also a duty solicitor at Central and East London family courts.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor, Instructed Judy Khan QC from Garden Court Chambers and Junior Ed Fenner, from
- Supervising Solicitor
Claire qualified as a solicitor in 2006. She specialises in defending young people at the police station and at court.
Having previously worked as a Mental Health Solicitor she has expertise in representing vulnerable people.
He had been sentenced to a 6 month referral order for common assault and criminal damage in his care home. He was referred to Claire Dissington of who successfully applied to reopen the matter and vacate the guilty pleas. Following representations the Crown discontinued these matters and a further 4 cases of common assault, 3 charges of criminal damage and s4 public order act charge. He now remains without criminal convictions.
Claire Dissington represented a girl charged with Possess an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Arrested with a water pistol when she was 14 years old. Trial at Highbury Youth Court when she was 17. CPS refused repeated representations that this was not in the public interest to prosecute and there had been appalling delays. They proceeded to trial. She was represented by Claire Dissington and found not guilty.
Claire Dissington was referred a vulnerable woman who had significant Mental Health issues. She had 3 cases with offences ranging from assaulting emergency workers, common assault and criminal damage. All three cases were discontinued following representations to the CPS that it was not in the Public Interest to proceed with the prosecution.
Claire trained at Hanne and Co Solicitors a mixed practice based in Battersea, London and remained there following qualification. She joined GTS in November 2013.
Claire specialises in a broad range of housing litigation and social welfare law including housing disrepair, unlawful evictions, homelessness, possession, and judicial review. She regularly represents vulnerable clients and has a particular interest in challenging social landlords who fail to comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010.
Claire is a robust litigator and will go to extra lengths to achieve the best resolution possible for her client's. She is dedicated, practical and not afraid to think laterally to ensure great results. She is experienced in conducting work from the County Court up to and including the Supreme Court.
Outside of work Claire enjoys long country walks with her dogs and having fun with her kids.
Job Titles:
- a Housing Paralegal
- Paralegal
Clémence joined GT Stewart as a housing paralegal in the East Dulwich Housing Team in June 2021.
Clémence assists the solicitors with the casework on a wide range of housing cases and has been praised for her client care. She has a particular interest in possession and disrepair cases and aspires to become a housing solicitor in England.
Clémence is bilingual, speaking both French and English.
She graduated from The University of Law with a Distinction in the MA Law in August 2021 and wrote her research paper on the negative impact of the legal aid cuts on the housing sector with an emphasis on disrepair cases.
Previously, Clémence worked in France in a housing charity called Fondation Abbé Pierre where she worked on the social housing allocation process and on legal actions against anti-begging local by-laws which inspired her human rights master's thesis. Further, she worked as a caseworker for Association Droits & Habitats, a housing charity which aims to assist homeless and households in unfit housing to access social housing in Paris.
Education
MA Law, Distinction, University of Law (2021);
Masters in Public Law Human Rights, Paris-Nanterre University (2019);
Masters in International Law, Paris Panthéon Sorbonne University (2018);
Double Undergraduate Degree in Law and History, Paris Panthéon Sorbonne University (2018).
Daniel has recently Joined GT Stewart as a paralegal within the Housing Department.
Before joining GT Stewart Daniel worked as a paralegal in a London firm specialising in police law. During this time, he worked on a variety of matters ranging from road traffic offences to deaths following police contact.
Daniel also has experience in housing law having previously volunteered as a caseworker at a legal clinic in Kensington & Chelsea. While at the clinic, Daniel acted for clients in matters relating to homelessness, possession and unsuitable accommodation.
Deepti is a Specialist Caseworker in the Mental Health Department. She is an accredited member of the Law Society Mental Health Tribunal Panel.
Deepti predominatly works on criminal/restricted cases under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the 2007 Act) where clients are detained in either a forensic medium or high secure setting, assisting them in their treatment care pathway. This includes assistance and representation at CPA meetings, Hospital Managers Hearings and before the First-tier (Mental Health) Tribunal.
She has a broad experience of dealing with clients with complex care needs and those who have a dual diagnosis and personality disorders. Deepti enjoys travelling and cooking.
Education
BA Honors Law and Politics
Job Titles:
- Solicitor - Advocate
- Solicitors & Advocates As a Paralegal
Ed Youlton joined GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates as a paralegal in 2019 after graduating from University with a LLB (Hons) in Law & Criminology and thereafter the LPC with MSc in Law, Business and Management. Ed's interest, motivation and commitment to representing clients at the police station and in the criminal justice system resulted in him qualifying as a Police Station Accredited Representative, an Assistant Solicitor with Higher Rights (Criminal), and a Duty Solicitor by November 2021. His progress and dedication has been exemplary and he has set a high standard for others to follow.
He has a dedicated and passionate approach to defending clients and to the principles and practices of publicly funded criminal defence work. Ed is a Higher Court Advocate which enables him to represent clients from the police station through to the Crown Court. He is also an experienced litigator, having represented clients at the Crown Court for a variety of offences including serious sexual offences. He has a particular expertise in defending clients in confiscation proceedings commenced under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
He is a strong advocate with a sympathetic and understanding approach to clients which compliments his academic qualifications, particularly clients with fitness to plead issues and youths charged with serious criminal offences.
Education and Qualifications
LLB (Hons) Law & Criminology
Job Titles:
- Consultant Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Supervising Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Consultant Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Consultant Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Police Station Representative
Job Titles:
- Police Station Representative
Job Titles:
- Trainee Criminal Defence Solicitor
Job Titles:
- Senior Supervising Caseworker
Job Titles:
- Family & Childcare Executive / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Criminal Defence Solicitor
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Supervising Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Senior Caseworker / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Partner, Joint Head of the Family & Childcare Department / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Partner and Supervising Solicitor
Job Titles:
- Partner and Higher Court Advocate
Job Titles:
- Criminal Defence Paralegal
Job Titles:
- Partner and Supervising Solicitor
Job Titles:
- Supervising Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Solicitor & Head of the Silks Team / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Partner and Barrister & Head of Crown Court Advocacy
Job Titles:
- Partner, Joint Head of the Family & Childcare Department / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Supervising Solicitor / Family Law
Job Titles:
- Senior Supervising Solicitor
Job Titles:
- Partner and Supervising Solicitor